About Course
This workshop will equip speech-language therapists with knowledge and skills to apply clinical reasoning when assessing and planning therapy for persons with swallowing difficulties, especially for those of advanced age.
Designed in two parts, learners may choose to attend this basic level workshop or extend their learning in the “Clinical Reasoning in Assessment and Therapy Planning for Older Persons with Dysphagia – Intermediate” workshop.
Designed for speech-language therapists who already possess a foundational understanding of basic assessment techniques (e.g., oral motor examination, clinical bedside evaluation), this workshop will focus on enhancing clinical reasoning skills through paper-based case studies involving scenarios of older persons.
Learners will explore the anatomy and physiology of swallowing, enhance their understanding of the age-related changes that affect swallowing, and be exposed to various assessment methods for dysphagia in the older person. This includes clinical observations, case history interviews, and instrumental assessments such as videofluoroscopy and endoscopy.
Learners will examine common medical conditions and comorbidities prevalent among older adults such as dementia, delirium, neurological injuries, sepsis, and nutritional issues, and how these conditions impact swallowing and treatment planning.
They will also learn about the different treatment approaches and interventions for managing dysphagia, including compensatory techniques, exercise-based therapies, dietary modifications, and adaptive equipment. Effective communication with dysphagic clients and their families will be emphasised. Learners will appreciate how to better counsel, educate, and support patients and caregivers who need strategies to improve swallowing and oral health.
The workshop will also outline the ethical and professional considerations when working with older persons with dysphagia, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for optimising care for the older person with dysphagia. Ethical and legal considerations, including consent, advocacy, privacy, and confidentiality, will also be addressed to ensure learners are well-prepared for clinical practice.
Skills you’ll gain
Adult and Geriatric Rehabilitation
Who Should Attend
Speech-language therapists who are conditionally registered and are working with older adults, or
Speech-language therapists who are currently working with a different client population and will be transitioning to work with older adults in the near future
Prerequisites
- Degree in Speech-language Therapy
- AHPC-registered
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, learners will be able to:
- Explain the impact of aging on the swallowing mechanism and its role in the development of dysphagia in older persons
- Conduct a thorough case history interview with older persons with dysphagia, gather relevant information about their medical history, dietary habits, and swallowing difficulties
- Discuss the role of performing comprehensive clinical observations of swallowing in older persons, including assessing posture, oral motor function, and signs of aspiration or penetration
- Identify the appropriateness of instrumental assessments, considerations for instrumental assessments and understand the physiological changes of dysphagia via instrumental assessments
- Develop individualised treatment plans for older persons with dysphagia, incorporating appropriate therapeutic techniques, compensatory strategies, and dietary modifications
- Discuss how to provide counselling and education to older persons with dysphagia and their families, offering guidance on safe swallowing techniques, dietary modifications, and strategies for maintaining optimal oral health
- Identify potential barriers and challenges in managing dysphagia in older persons (e.g., cognitive impairments, comorbidities, medication interactions, ethical considerations), and devise appropriate strategies to address them
Teaching Team
Calvin Lam
Senior Speech Therapist, National University Hospital
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Lee Yan Qing
Principal Speech Therapist, Changi General Hospital
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Course Details
Schedule
| Course Run | Dates | Time |
|---|---|---|
| August 2025 run | 26 – 27 Aug | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm |
Day 1
| Time | Topics |
|---|---|
| 9:00 am | Introduction |
| 9:30 am | Overview of workshop Basics of Clinical Reasoning |
| 10:45 am | Break |
| 11:00 am | Normal ageing and swallowing Common conditions/issues part 1 |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch |
| 1:30 pm | Common conditions/issues part 2 Assessment in geriatric dysphagia |
| 3:30 pm | Break |
| 3:45 pm | Instrumental assessments |
| 4:30 pm | Quiz |
| 6:00 pm | End of Day 1 |
Day 2
| Time | Topics |
|---|---|
| 9:00 am | Management of geriatric dysphagia Considerations, Compensation versus Rehabilitation Interdisciplinary care, evidence base for geriatric dysphagia |
| 11:00 am | Break |
| 11:15 am | Case studies |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch |
| 1:30 pm | Barriers, challenges, and ethical considerations in geriatric dysphagia |
| 3:30 pm | Break |
| 4:00 pm | Counselling and education in geriatric dysphagia Advocating and Support |
| 4:30 pm | Quiz |
| 6:00 pm | End of Day 2 |
Certificate and Assessment
A Certificate of Attainment will be issued to participants who:
- Attend at least 75% of the course
- Undertake and pass non-credit bearing assessment during the course
Participants who meet the attendance requirement but do not pass the assessment will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Fee Structure
The full fee for this course is S$2,180.00.
| Funding Category | Eligible Funding | Course Fees Payable After Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore Citizen (Below 40) | 70% | S$654.00 |
| Singapore Citizen (Above 40) Funded under SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy (MCES) | 90% | S$254.00 |
| Singapore PR / LTVP+ Holder | 70% | S$654.00 |
| Non-Singapore Citizen | Not Eligible | S$2,180.00 |
Note:
- All fees above include GST. GST applies to individuals and Singapore-registered companies.
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