Anosmia and Dysphagia in Patients with Dementia

Carla Krishan A. Cuadro, MRS-SP, CSP-PASP

Olfactory dysfunction has been identified as a common sensory issue among older
individuals. Anosmia, or the loss of smell, frequently hail the onset of Alzheimers
disease, Parkinsons disease, and other forms of dementia. Apart from it posing as a
safety risk in managing daily living, olfactorial impairment directly impacts appetite,
thereby complicating the patients feeding abilities and may eventually set off the cycle
of frailty where sufficient, appropriate nutrition is the key to quality dementia
management.
Even as there are no existing guidelines in the nutritional assessment and
management of clients with Parkinsons disease (Mischley, 2017), screening for
hyposmia and anosmia in this population may have yet to see regular implementation.
Changes in the ability to taste food is by and large due to an initial olfactory problem
(Leopold et al., 2009). The resulting changes in food preferences and intake not only lead
to malnutrition. Depression and other forms of behavioral issues may ensue, presenting
an array of feeding challenges that the speech-language pathologist needs to contend
with on top of the persons difficulties in communication and language comprehension.
Strategies in managing appetite changes and dysphagia in the midst of the
cognitive-communication and behavioral impairments will be presented and their
rationale emphasized. This talk will stress that highly-individualized approaches that are
tailored to the clients intact abilities will be the key in ensuring successful dysphagia
management.