Length of Course: 6 hours
Prerequisites: None
Cost: $165 per person (group and offsite bookings please enquire here)
Course Introduction
The Dysphagia and Mealtime Support Training Course equips aged care, disability, and home care workers with the knowledge and practical skills required to safely support individuals who experience swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). This course focuses on promoting safe eating, drinking, and medication support while reducing the risk of choking, aspiration, and other complications.
Participants will learn about normal swallowing and the basics of the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, as well as how to recognise dysphagia, its causes, signs, symptoms, and associated risks. The training provides guidance on identifying when feeding assistance is required and how to support individual needs safely.
The course also covers safe mealtime practices, correct positioning, and feeding techniques, along with the importance of food safety, allergy awareness, and infection control. Participants will gain an understanding of modified diets and fluids using IDDSI standards, safe medication support, and the role of support workers in documentation and scope of practice.
By completing this course, participants will gain the confidence and practical knowledge needed to provide safe, person-centred mealtime support for individuals living with dysphagia in home and community care settings.
Dysphagia & Mealtime Support Training – Key Competences Covered
- Understanding normal swallowing and the basics of the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems.
- Define dysphagia, its causes, its signs and symptoms and associated risks.
- Identify when feeding assistance is required and recognise individual support needs.
- How to implement safe eating practices, including positioning and techniques.
- Understanding the criteria and expectations of the industry.
- Understanding the importance of allergies and other considerations, including food safety and handling.
- Develop skills to assist in meal planning.
- Understanding modified diets and fluids using IDDSI standards.
- Support safe medication administration.
- Identify and respond to warning signs.
- Support worker scope of practice, documentation and infection control.
Dysphagia & Mealtime Support Training – Training Course Certification
A certificate of achievement is issued on completion of the course.