Swallowing Therapy for Elderly Adults
Swallowing difficulties are common in older adults—and at Delmar Gardens, our specialized swallowing therapy helps restore comfort, safety, and confidence.
Personalized Therapy for Seniors With Swallowing Difficulties
At Delmar Gardens, we offer personalized swallowing therapy for elderly adults experiencing dysphagia or other swallowing difficulties. Whether the issue stems from aging, illness, or a recent stroke, our experienced therapists work closely with each resident to improve their quality of life.
Through individualized speech and swallowing therapy, we help seniors regain the ability to eat and drink with confidence—while reducing health risks like choking, aspiration, and malnutrition. With compassionate support and a focus on progress, our care teams are here to help you or your loved one thrive.
What is Dysphagia?
Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. It can affect people of all ages but is especially common in older adults due to age-related muscle weakness, neurological conditions, or side effects of a stroke. For seniors, dysphagia can make it hard to eat or drink safely, increasing the risk of choking, dehydration, malnutrition, or aspiration pneumonia.
Swallowing and speech are closely connected because they both rely on the same muscles and coordination in the mouth, throat, and esophagus. That’s why many people with dysphagia also experience speech difficulties, such as slurred words or trouble forming sounds. These issues often stem from the same underlying conditions—like Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or dementia—and can significantly affect a person’s ability to communicate and enjoy daily life.
How We Support Seniors with Swallowing Difficulties
When someone you care about is struggling to eat or speak comfortably, you want to know they’re getting the best care possible. At Delmar Gardens, we focus on therapy that’s not only effective, but also compassionate and tailored to each resident’s needs.
Individualized Care Plans
Every resident receives a personalized swallowing and speech therapy plan tailored to their unique needs, medical history, and comfort level. Our therapists take the time to understand each resident’s challenges and goals.
Collaborative Team Approach
Our swallowing therapy program brings together speech-language pathologists, nurses, dietitians, and caregivers to form a well-rounded care team. By working together, we ensure that every aspect of the resident’s health and well-being is supported.
Focus on Safety & Prevention
Preventing complications like choking, dehydration, or aspiration pneumonia is a top priority. We combine proactive treatment with close monitoring to ensure that each resident remains safe, nourished, and supported at all times.
Compassionate Care
We understand that swallowing difficulties can be extremely frustrating. That’s why we create a warm, understanding environment where seniors feel empowered, respected, and cared for—physically and emotionally.
Mealtime Assistance and Modified Diets
At Delmar Gardens, we know that swallowing challenges can turn something as simple as eating into a daily struggle. That’s why our trained nurses and care staff provide hands-on assistance during meals, snacks, and hydration times to ensure residents feel safe, supported, and comfortable.
We work closely with speech-language pathologists and dietitians to create modified diets that suit each resident’s specific needs—whether that means changing food textures, offering thickened liquids, or adjusting portion sizes for easier swallowing.
Our team also monitors posture, positioning, and pace during meals to reduce the risk of choking or aspiration. Most importantly, we aim to make mealtimes a dignified and enjoyable experience, helping residents maintain proper nutrition and take pleasure in the foods they love.
Skilled Nursing & Diabetes Management Care Locations
Delmar Gardens North
Florissant, MO
Delmar Gardens of Chesterfield
Chesterfield, MO
Delmar Gardens West
Town and Country, MO
Delmar Gardens of Creve Coeur
Creve Coeur, MO
Delmar Gardens of Meramec Valley
Fenton, MO
Missouri
Delmar Gardens on the Green
Chesterfield, MO
Delmar Gardens South
Sappington, MO
Delmar Gardens of O’Fallon
O’Fallon, MO
Delmar Gardens of Lenexa
Lenexa, KS
Delmar Gardens of Overland Park
Overland Park, KS
Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett
Lawrenceville, GA
Delmar Gardens of Smyrna
Smyrna, GA
St. Joseph Villa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Omaha, NE
Delmar Gardens of Green Valley
Henderson, NV
From Humble Beginnings to Skilled Care Leaders
Skilled Nursing Care is the hallmark of the Delmar Gardens Family. Our late founders Barbara and Henry Grossberg, with their sons George and Gabe, provided care to elderly friends and neighbors out of their modest, University City, Missouri apartment. As popularity of their kindness grew, so did the need for space.
The Grossberg family met the Goldberg family in the early sixties and together in 1965, the first Delmar Gardens skilled nursing and rehabilitation opened. Today, the Grossberg and Goldberg families proudly continue exclusive ownership and operations of Delmar Gardens, ensuring family first…always.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my loved one needs swallowing therapy?
If your loved one frequently coughs or chokes during meals, clears their throat often, avoids certain foods, or has experienced unexplained weight loss, they may be showing signs of a swallowing disorder. You may also notice them eating much slower than usual or expressing fear or frustration at mealtimes. These symptoms can affect overall nutrition and safety, so it’s important to seek an evaluation from a healthcare provider or speech-language pathologist to determine if therapy is needed.
Who provides the therapy at Delmar Gardens?
At Delmar Gardens, swallowing and speech therapy services are provided by licensed and highly trained speech-language pathologists. These specialists assess each resident’s unique needs and develop personalized therapy plans. They also collaborate with nurses, dietitians, and caregivers to ensure a cohesive approach that supports progress both during therapy sessions and throughout daily routines.
How long does it take to see results from therapy?
The timeline for improvement can vary based on the severity of the condition, the resident’s overall health, and how consistently therapy is followed. Some individuals may notice positive changes within a few weeks, while others may need longer-term support to see significant progress. Our team monitors each resident closely and adjusts therapy plans as needed to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Is speech therapy only for swallowing problems?
Not at all. While swallowing therapy is an important part of what we offer, speech-language pathologists at Delmar Gardens also work with seniors on communication challenges, cognitive impairments, memory issues, and voice disorders. Whether your loved one is having trouble expressing themselves, remembering daily tasks, or maintaining attention, speech therapy can play a key role in improving their quality of life.
Live well and thrive
Our Delmar Gardens Family of experts are some of the most experienced in senior healthcare.
Call us today to learn about the best care options for you or a loved one to live well and thrive.
