Do You Have to Use a Thickener in Your Liquids?

[Paladin1950]

When I started working in nursing homes in 1996, the thing that was the hardest to get used to, other than people dying, was the fact that some elderly people couldn't drink liquids in their natural form. So a powdered thickener was added to their liquids. It looked disgusting. Water with thickener added to it looked liked Vicks VapoRub.

A resident in the previous nursing home where I worked, loved drinking a cup of coffee for every meal. But after awhile he could no longer drink liquids in their natural form. So people in the dietary department had to start mixing thickener in his coffee. It was a mug of brown stuff like apple sauce. He was given a spoon so he could scoop his thickened coffee out of his mug.

Over the years I have told co-workers that if it ever comes the time that I can no longer drink ice tea, water, or orange juice in their natural form, I no longer want to be alive.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Nothing I’ve ever heard of
Yuck!

 

[Paladin1950]

Thickened Liquids.

 

[officerripley]

Why couldn't they drink liquids in their natural forms? (You'd think a thickener would make it even harder than ever to swallow?) I'm curious since I've had trouble swallowing all my life. It doesn't hurt when I swallow; it feels more like I've kind of forgotten how to swallow--but that's not it exactly either; it's hard to describe. Years ago, a gastroenterologist m.d.. told me that it really concerned him and he was going to get to the bottom of my swallowing problems once and for all. Welp, I'll never forget the long sad face on him when he came in with the results and told me he was sorry but he had no earthly idea what my problem was. (I hate my stupid body.)

 

[Myra]

They use those at our care facility as well. They ask employees to taste things when they can so they get an idea of what they're sending out. I do not care for thickened beverages. You can taste the thickener. They're disgusting.

 

[birdy]

I think the swallowing issue can happen to some people as they age. I had to use a thickener in beverages for my husband at one point...they come in a few levels of thickness. I know there are prepared beverages that already have thickener in them. I wonder if they are a tiny bit better premixed.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Why couldn't they drink liquids in their natural form? Did they go down the wrong pipe (as they say) and cause them to choke? I've never heard of thickening liquids either.

 

[birdy]

Why couldn't they drink liquids in their natural form? Did they go down the wrong pipe (as they say) and cause them to choke? I've never heard of thickening liquids either.

They will sometimes choke and might aspirate the liquid. The hospital does swallowing tests to determine what type of diet the person needs to be on and the level of thickness required.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

They will sometimes choke and might aspirate the liquid. The hospital does swallowing tests to determine what type of diet the person needs to be on and the level of thickness required.

Thank you Birdy. I figured choking was the issue.

 

[katlupe]

I remember thickening beverages for my residents when I worked in nursing homes. It was horrible.

 

[stretch5881]

My dad would aspirate drinking coffee. He also needed to take his medication with a thicker liquid or pudding.
Even I find it easier to take my vitamins with a protein drink.

 

[Della]

Why couldn't they drink liquids in their natural forms? (You'd think a thickener would make it even harder than ever to swallow?) I'm curious since I've had trouble swallowing all my life. It doesn't hurt when I swallow; it feels more like I've kind of forgotten how to swallow--but that's not it exactly either; it's hard to describe. Years ago, a gastroenterologist m.d.. told me that it really concerned him and he was going to get to the bottom of my swallowing problems once and for all. Welp, I'll never forget the long sad face on him when he came in with the results and told me he was sorry but he had no earthly idea what my problem was. (I hate my stupid body.)

Well this is bad news for both of us. I didn't know it could get so bad that I might need a thickener.

At this point I'm like Officerripley. I start to drink and have to tell myself to "swallow, don't inhale," and sometimes I start choking if a dribble of something very cold or acidic hits the back of my throat. What really confuses my throat is something like cereal or veggie soup that's half liquid and half solid.

 

[birdy]

@Della A speech therapist worked with my husband on exercises to strengthen the muscles. I think it helped.

 

[ElCastor]

Never heard of the use of a thickener as described, but I have developed a taste for something unusual, 12 oz can of 7UP clearly marked with a green band labeled “ZERO SUGAR”. Very tasty and no calories.

 

[Remy]

The thickened liquids go down slower and trigger the epiglottis to close better than thin liquids.

It's got to be unsettling when something that has worked doesn't anymore. I can chug water with no problem but for people with swallowing problems it can become a scary chore. Thickened liquids usually come in 3 thicknesses. Including pudding thick. Imagine that as the only liquids.