Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in the Elderly: Evaluation and Prevalence

Several age-related sensory and motor changes impact swallow function in the elderly. Dysphagia is a common and growing concern as the geriatric population expands and is associated with emotional, physical, and financial consequences. However, it is underdiagnosed and undertreated, especially in community-dwelling independent older adults who do not report issues with swallowing. Otherwise healthy older adults may have senescent swallowing that remains functional until it is disrupted by triggers and becomes dysphagia. Evaluating for dysphagia in the elderly is important, because it is frequently missed until complications requiring hospitalization develop. The evaluation of dysphagia in the independently living elderly relies on screening tests, clinical swallowing evaluations, and instrumental exams. However, limitations exist with the current data, including the lack of consistent swallowing evaluation tools used during screening. Dysphagia is a significant problem in the elderly, leading to increased morbidity and cost of care. Further research is necessary to define the prevalence and impact of dysphagia in this population.