“Swallowing difficulties in visually impaired elderly population”

Dissemination of Research Findings

60% elderly have swallowing difficulties

The Hong Kong Society for the Blind (HKSB) Residential Services and the Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a Partnership for Excellence in Communication & Swallowing Research on 25 August 2015, covering the period from 2015 to 2020. The partnership aims to conduct research studies in advancing assessment and treatment for acquired communication and swallowing disorders in elderly with visual impairment, and to promote multidisciplinary evidence-based assessment and treatment protocols for acquired communication and swallowing disorders in elderly with visual impairment to local and regional settings. 

From December 2015 to June 2016, the research team visited 4 branches of the HKSB Residential Services for the visually impaired elderly. Out of a total of 398 residents in the 4 nursing homes, 61% of the residents were documented to have some level of swallowing difficulties. In terms of mealtime assistance, 70% of the residents required special food processing; 24% of the elderly required assistance with feeding during mealtimes; and 7% of elderly residents were unable to eat orally and required tube feeding. The research team conducted face-to-face clinical assessments with 109 elderly residents to further investigate the nature of their swallowing difficulties. The research findings were announced on 24 August 2016. 

Click here to read the press release 

Four speakers (from the left) HKU - Miss Dai Pu, Dr Karen Chan, HKSB - Mr Armstrong Chiu and Mr Wilson Lam

Sharing by Ms Ho, a visually impaired elderly

Group photo of the research team