What
the
Family
Can
do
to
Help!
Become
familiar
with
the
patient's
individualized
swallowing
program
and
follow
the
guidelines
carefully.
Communicate
with
the
staff.
Give
the
patient
support
and
encouragement
to
participate
in
the
swallowing
program.
Offer
only
foods
and
liquids
that
are
of
the
consistency
recommended
by
the
speech-language
pathologist.
Remember
the
patient
needs
to
be
sitting
upright
when
eating
unless
other
specific
recommendations
have
been
made.
Encourage
the
patient
to
take
small
amounts
of
food.
Allow
sufficient
time
for
eating.
Be
sure
the
patient
has
swallowed
completely
before
taking
more
food.
Stop
feeding
immediately
if
the
patient
chokes.
Leave
the
patient
sitting
for
20
to
30
minutes
after
eating.
