Soft and Pureed Food Line, Smoothe Foods, Creates Dysphagia Awareness at Nassau Division of Social Workers Wellness Event in Celebration of National Social Workers Month
Huntington, NY (PRWEB) April 17, 2014 -- As part of its 2014 plan to continue educating professionals and caregivers, Smoothe Foods created awareness for social workers to pay attention to patients with swallowing issues. “With the aging population, it is more important than ever to create awareness and education about swallowing issues for professionals including physicians and hospital discharge planners. Speech Language Pathologists are specialists in swallowing issues and their recommendations are being ignored by discharge planners. Their professional recommendations are crucial for a patient when they return home or to another facility,” said Founder Karen Betz. "It will take a concerted effort to end the practice of omitting critical recommendations for dysphagia patients," says Betz.
According to a Transitional Care study by author Amy Kind, a dangerously low percentage of recommendations made by SLP’s were included in hospital discharge papers. See below for the study results:
• SLP notes: averaged 5.6 recommendations
• Hospital D/C notes: averaged 1.4 recommendations
• All Hospital D/C notes omitted:
o 47% Dietary
o 82% Postural
o 95% Medication
o 79% Care Provider
o 100% Environment
o 45 Overall
Smoothe Foods offers soft and pureed foods to the healthcare industry and to private consumers, who seek convenient meals with quality nutritional content and taste. In addition, the meals are optimal for those with dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing; chewing sensitivities; eating disorders; as well as those with illnesses, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, strokes, and more.
“Our convenient meals are perfect for individuals living at home or in a facility, who want to maintain their independence but are unable to eat solid foods for fear of potential choking episodes,” said Karen Betz. “And, on that note, our meals are perfect for anyone wanting quality taste without the extensive fillers that are found in many soft and pureed food products on the market these days. As one with experience with a parent with dysphagia myself, I find that it’s reassuring to know we can offer a line of great tasting foods to encourage people to eat. Nowadays, malnutrition, especially among those with health impairments, is a main contributor towards early hospitalizations and other complications.”
Smoothe Foods offers bulk order services, as well as home delivery services. Their new menu includes three bean chili, frittata, spinach lasagna, Swedish meatballs, and more. Premium meal options (http://www.smoothefoods.com/specials.html ) are available, and are crafted with real food tastes in mind. Customers can also enjoy the kosher rating, as well as variety packs that contain 12 or 24 six-ounce frozen vegetarian meals.
For more information about Smoothe Foods and its partnerships, visit http://www.smoothefoods.com.
About Smoothe Foods
Smoothe Foods is a line of soft and pureed menu items that are nutritious and great tasting. The company ships nationwide, and focuses on providing gourmet meals to help ensure those with special dietary needs have a delicious option and variety. We offer a small, select menu which changes every 6 months with a focus on taste.
For more information, visit http://www.smoothefoods.com, or call (631) 424-4005 or email info(at)smoothefoods(dot)com.
Karen Betz, Smoothe Foods, http://SmootheFoods.com, +1 (631) 424-4005, [email protected]
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