Skill: Assisting a Client to Eat

For many people, meals fulfill not only nutritional but also social needs. The social importance of mealtime can be just as important to the client’s well-being as the food they eat. When assisting a client to eat, do things to make mealtime a pleasant experience.

Plan the menu with the client if possible.
Arrange the place setting and food so it looks attractive and is easy for the client to reach and eat.
Sit down with the client whenever possible.
Make sure the client is sitting comfortably.
Help only when help is needed.
Offer food at an unrushed pace.
Take the time to make eating a highlight of the day.

See Assist a Client to Eat in the Skills Checklists on page 426 for the specific steps of this skill.

Tips for Assisting a Client to Eat

Never assist a client to eat who is lying down, reclining, or very sleepy.
Make sure the client’s head is forward and their chin is down.
Put a small amount of food on the spoon or fork.
Give the client plenty of time for chewing and swallowing. Never rush.
Tell the client what food is on the fork or spoon before putting it in their mouth.
Treat the client as an adult, not a child.

The client should remain upright for at least 20 to 30 minutes after finishing a meal.

General Tips When Helping a Client with Dysphagia to EAt

Let the person see, smell, and taste the food to encourage saliva to flow and to improve their appetite before they start eating.
Avoid having the client talk while eating.
Place food in the middle of the front third of the tongue, and push the tongue down (this stops the tongue from falling back into the mouth and getting in the way of the swallow).
Watch for pocketing of food. If this happens, remove the pocketed food and have the client slow down or ask the client to do a “tongue sweep” if they are able.
You may need to prompt the swallowing process with statements like “chew thoroughly,” “swallow again,” “hold your breath while you swallow,” and “clear your throat.”

Assistive Devices to Help with Eating

Many assistive devices can help maintain a client’s independence while eating including silverware with built-up handles to make them easier to grasp, two-handled cups, straws, a divided plate, or a plate with a rim (makes it easier to “scoop” food onto the utensil).