This week is national Speech Pathology Week and an appropriate time for the Central Australia Health Service to launch a video aimed at promoting eating, drinking and swallowing safely.
“Safe swallowing of food and drink can lead to the reduction in the risks of choking, chest infections or aspiration pneumonia,” said Nanthini Kanthan, Manager of Speech Pathology at Alice Springs Hospital.
“The video is called Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Safely and talks about swallowing difficulties and shows strategies to manage this.” 
“Currently there is no existing culturally appropriate educational material relating to eating, drinking and swallowing safely in this region so this new video, and the supporting resources, will be an essential tool in  assisting patients.”
The project was developed with collaboration from Alice Springs Hospital Aboriginal Liaison Officers, Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and the NPY Women’s Council and was funded through the Aboriginal Health innovation Sponsorship Fund as a culturally appropriate health education tool to address dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
The video has been produced in a number of Aboriginal languages commonly spoken in Central Australia, including Arrernte, Walpiri, Pitjantjara, Luritja and Anmatjere. 
“The video will be supported a poster and postcard for easy reference for clients, and eventually a series of brochures that are still under development,” Ms Kanthan said.
“The project will benefit adults who have developed swallowing problems from damage to the brain from head injury, stroke, or neurological disorders.  It also helps our elder clients who can have difficulties swallowing due to ageing.”
The video is available to people living across Central Australia, whether in town communities, remote communities, nursing homes, hostels or supported accommodation.
“It has been documented that in Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a three-fold higher occurrence of stroke compared to other Australians,” Ms Kanthan said.
“The Speech Pathology Australia research indicates that 50 per cent of older adults in nursing homes and 15-30 per cent of people aged 65 and older may have swallowing difficulties.”
Speech Pathology Week runs from 20-26 August and this year’s theme is Communication Access – Everyone gets the message, a fitting narrative for Alice Springs Hospital’s Speech Pathology Department’s new video and resource project.

Media contact: Gail Liston 8951 5111 or 0476 839 383.