Aging in Place: The Importance of Saliva
Presented by Angela Mansolillo
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Reduced salivary flow and dry mouth have significant impacts on swallowing, taste, oral movements, and most importantly, quality of life. The causes of impaired salivary flow are varied, and evidence for interventions is limited. This course will provide SLPs with a working knowledge of normal and impaired salivary function. Strategies for the identification of xerostomia will be presented, and participants will be provided with evidence-based strategies for intervention. The role of oral hygiene interventions will also be discussed.
Learning Objectives
- Examine the roles of saliva and its digestive and protective functions in aging clients
- Distinguish between xerostomia and hyposalivation and their respective impacts on saliva flow and patient perceptions
- Determine the cause(s) of xerostomia in aging clients
- Create targeted management plans for dry mouth for patients of varying diagnoses
Meet your instructor
Angela Mansolillo
Angela Mansolillo is a speech-language pathologist and board-certified specialist in swallowing disorders with more than 25 years of experience. She is currently a senior speech-language pathologist at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Massachusetts, where she provides evaluation and treatment services for adults and…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Saliva: A Fluid Only an SLP Could Love?
What is saliva, what does it do, and why should we care? This chapter will provide a description of both the protective and digestive functions of saliva and will discuss the impact of aging on salivary flow.
2. Is It Xerostomia or Hyposalivation?
Xerostomia, dry mouth, and hyposalivation are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. This chapter will provide clinicians with an improved understanding of these separate but related aspects of impaired salivary flow.
3. Diseases and Conditions That Impact Salivary Flow
A number of different conditions can contribute to impaired salivary flow in aging individuals. This chapter will provide clinicians with the information they need to identify the potential underlying causes of xerostomia and hyposalivation in their clients.
4. Improving Dry Mouth: How Can We Help?
What is the clinician’s role in saliva management? This chapter will provide options for compensatory strategies, saliva substitutes, and behavioral interventions to impact salivary flow and perception of dry mouth. New directions in saliva management will also be discussed.
More courses in this series
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Aging in Place: What It Means and How We Can Help
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Aging in Place: The Importance of Saliva
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Aging in Place: Sensory Interventions to Improve Swallow Function
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