Swallowing, eating and drinking

Maintaining safe, nutritious, and enjoyable mealtimes is an important goal for many​​.​

Meal planning and preparation including budgeting, shopping, eating, drinking and entertaining – are all functional skills that adults may wish to focus on. As functional abilities change, nutritional needs, diet consistencies, degree of mealtime assistance and level of independence may also change. Monitoring for changes in swallowing ability, nutritional status and respiratory health can help prevent and/or manage any difficulties that arise.

To learn more about how we can support you, please contact our friendly team

How we can help

What we help with
  • Assessment of dysphagia (swallowing disorder) and other mealtime difficulties  
  • Assistance with non-oral feeding (NG tubes, Gastrostomy)
  • Behavioural swallowing problems
  • Collaboration with medical teams to ensure timely access to the right services and supports
  • Communication during mealtimes
  • Education and training in dysphagia and mealtime assistance for support staff
  • Information about nutrition
  • Management of drooling
  • Mealtime difficulties resulting from oral and other sensory difficulties, such as sensitivities to the feel or look of food or drink
  • Mealtime equipment, adaptive utensils
  • Meal preparation
  • Oral and dental hygiene
  • Techniques to promote safe swallowing, such as positioning, food and drink consistencies and textures, different utensils
Who can help

At CPA our trained and dedicated staff are experts in supporting swallowing and mealtimes for adults.

You can work with our:  

  • Occupational therapists may support with positioning for mealtimes   
  • Speech pathologists  
How we can help

We offer a blended model of services to meet the individual needs of adults and their families. 

Appointments may be arranged: 

  • At your local centre; 
  • In your home; 
  • In your local community 
  • Or via Telepractice 


A small group session may be recommended. Groups can be attended in person or via Telepractice.

Funding supports

If you have a funding package from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), we can work with you to maximise the benefits.

You can purchase supports using your:

  • Capacity Building budget 
    • Improved Daily Living  (15)
  • Capital Supports budget  
    • Assistive Technology (5)

Tell me more

We will respond as soon as possible, between Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

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