Swallowing Therapy
Swallowing problems can develop after a stroke, a Parkinson's disease diagnosis, or another neurological event. They can make eating unsafe, reduce nutrition, and in serious cases, lead to aspiration pneumonia. Clarity Rehabilitation evaluates and treats dysphagia in adults across the Denver metro area, in the home where it’s most functional.
Swallowing problems can also develop gradually without a clear neurological event, particularly in older adults.
Here are symptoms most commonly associated with swallowing problems that you may be experiencing:
Coughing or throat clearing during or after eating
Complaints of pain when swallowing
Food or liquid remaining in your mouth following meals
Drooling during or outside of meals
Difficulty coordinating breathing and swallowing
Changes in vocal quality during or after eating or drinking (e.g., voice sounding wet or “gurgly”
Complaints of food “sticking” in throat
Food or liquid “leaking” from mouth
Changes in eating habits, such as avoiding certain foods/drinks
Weight loss, malnutrition, or dehydration from not being able to eat enough
Recurrent pneumonia
What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that can affect the mouth, throat, esophagus, or the connection to the stomach.
People with dysphagia may lose interest in eating and drinking, leading to embarrassment, social isolation, and changes in lifestyle for both them and their families.
How is dysphagia addressed?
A speech-language pathologist performs a swallowing evaluation to understand where difficulties occur, figure out the reasons behind them, and develop a treatment plan.
Treatment often involves teaching safe swallowing techniques, suggesting food textures that are easier to manage, and creating a personalized exercise program to strengthen swallowing muscles. Sometimes, imaging studies of your swallowing process are recommended to help guide the best treatment approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover dysphagia evaluation and therapy?
Medicare Part B covers outpatient speech-language pathology services, including swallowing evaluation and treatment, when medical necessity is documented. Clarity Rehabilitation is a Medicare participating provider. Coverage depends on your specific plan and whether medical necessity criteria are met. Call us before scheduling if you have questions about your coverage.
Do I need a physician referral?
Treatment length depends on the underlying diagnosis, the severity of the swallowing problem, and how a patient responds to the MDTP protocol. Some patients see meaningful improvement in 8 to 12 sessions. Others with progressive conditions benefit from longer-term monitoring and maintenance therapy. Matt discusses realistic timelines with each patient and family after the evaluation.
How long does swallowing therapy take?
A referral is not required to contact us or schedule an evaluation. Medicare and most private insurers do require a signed plan of care from a physician before ongoing treatment begins, so we coordinate with your doctor early in the process.
Can therapy happen at an assisted living or memory care community?
Yes. Clarity Rehabilitation serves patients in assisted living communities, independent living facilities, and memory care settings throughout the Denver metro area. Many patients in these settings have dysphagia as a primary or secondary concern.
Dysphagia Certified Provider Of:
McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP) is a systematic exercise-based approach to dysphagia therapy in adults. Rather than a specific technique, MDTP is a framework from which to provide individualized therapy to adult patients.
Managing swallowing changes at home takes more than therapy sessions alone. We have gathered a collection of swallowing and dysphagia resources for patients and caregivers, including guidance and community support. Visit our Dysphagia Resources page to learn more.
At Clarity Rehabilitation, we believe in the limitless potential for progress. The brain has the capacity to form new connections, even years following a stroke or brain injury. Our approach involves collaborating with you on your personal goals, ensuring they are not only achievable but also practical and relevant to your everyday life.
