{"id":566,"date":"2026-01-14T14:46:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T14:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/education-and-training\/manual-for-mealtimes\/"},"modified":"2026-01-14T14:48:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T14:48:07","slug":"draft-manual-for-mealtimes-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/education-and-training\/draft-manual-for-mealtimes-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Manual for Mealtimes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-light-accent-grey-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aim and Objectives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Improve the knowledge and confidence of care staff about supporting people with eating and drinking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improve the mealtime experience, quality of life, health and care of residents in care homes and other care settings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce avoidable distressing incidents related to eating, drinking and swallowing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce hospital admissions relating to aspiration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-light-accent-grey-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Resources and related materials for <br>The Manual for Mealtimes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-light-accent-green-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">You can view and download the &#8220;Manual for Mealtimes: supporting residents with eating and drinking&#8221;. It includes information on how and when to refer to Speech and Language Therapy (SLT)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-icon__arrow-right\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/03\/Manual-for-Mealtimes-in-Care-Homes.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DownLoad the manual for mealtimes document<span class=\"wp-block-button__link-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg viewBox='0 0 16 11' xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'><polygon points='0 4.7 13.1180124 4.7 9.44099379 1 10.4347826 0 16 5.5 10.4347826 11 9.44099379 10 13.1180124 6.3 0 6.3'><\/polygon><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-light-accent-green-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">You can view a A Vimeo video on Manual for Mealtimes&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The presentation covers information about how the normal swallow works, what can go wrong, and how to use the Manual. During the presentation there are opportunities to try things out and reflect on how dementia affects a person&#8217;s experience of eating and drinking<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-icon__arrow-right\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/477212644\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Manual for mealtimes<span class=\"wp-block-button__link-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg viewBox='0 0 16 11' xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'><polygon points='0 4.7 13.1180124 4.7 9.44099379 1 10.4347826 0 16 5.5 10.4347826 11 9.44099379 10 13.1180124 6.3 0 6.3'><\/polygon><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-light-accent-grey-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How to Use<br>The Manual for Mealtimes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-light-accent-green-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">There are clear instructions how and when refer a person to SLT for urgent assessment, and when the problems could potentially be self-managed.  A referral form is included. <br><br>Guidance is in colour coded sections, which link with a chart &#8220;Eating and drinking problem chart&#8221; which staff can use to identify the most important factors to consider.&nbsp; <br><br>The factors are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Alertness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Environment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sensory changes <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Positioning <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pain <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mouth care <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Helping the person to eat and drink <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medication <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reflux <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social aspects <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Texture <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The person&#8217;s preferences,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rights and risks <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cognition<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">There is also a form to record any changes that have been tried, and whether they helped. <br><br>The appendix has filled examples of the forms to demonstrate how to use them. The Care Inspectorate has endorsed the use of these forms as a way to evidence good practice and if changes are successful, people with less severe problems do not need to be assessed by SLT.<br><br>The Manual also contains texture sheets describing the 7 standardised international levels for dysphagia diets (IDDSI).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-light-accent-plum-background-color has-background has-regular-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">The SLT service is happy to support use of the Manual when staff are unsure what to do. <br><br><strong>When staff have made changes which have not worked, a referral should be made, using the forms from the Manual.<\/strong>  See below for links to further information.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-light-accent-grey-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Further information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">For information on Speech and Language (SLT) services and referral (including downloadable guidance charts and recording templates) please see:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/info\/supporting-residents-needs\/services\/services-speech-and-language-therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Speech and Language: Service and information<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-light-accent-grey-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supporting Information:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-light-accent-green-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">The Manual for Mealtimes also fits with the Care Inspectorate publication for inspectors and care homes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">&#8220;Supporting people with eating , drinking and swallowing difficulties&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fc4fd283 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-icon__arrow-right\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2023\/01\/Supporting-people-with-eating-drinking-swallowing-difficulties.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">view THE Care Inspectorate DOCUMENT<span class=\"wp-block-button__link-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg viewBox='0 0 16 11' xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'><polygon points='0 4.7 13.1180124 4.7 9.44099379 1 10.4347826 0 16 5.5 10.4347826 11 9.44099379 10 13.1180124 6.3 0 6.3'><\/polygon><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-light-accent-green-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-regular-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">The Manual for Mealtimes contains detailed advice on how to support people with eating and drinking. The advice is evidence based and aligns with the National Health and Wellbeing outcomes framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-icon__arrow-right\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/national-health-wellbeing-outcomes-framework\/\">view THE FRAMEWORK document<span class=\"wp-block-button__link-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg viewBox='0 0 16 11' xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'><polygon points='0 4.7 13.1180124 4.7 9.44099379 1 10.4347826 0 16 5.5 10.4347826 11 9.44099379 10 13.1180124 6.3 0 6.3'><\/polygon><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aim and Objectives Resources and related materials for The Manual for Mealtimes You can view and download the &ldquo;Manual for Mealtimes: supporting residents with eating and drinking&rdquo;. It includes information on how and when to refer to Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) You can view a A Vimeo video on Manual for Mealtimes&nbsp; The presentation<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":0,"parent":557,"menu_order":9,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/mainmenuvertical.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-566","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/author\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"Aim and Objectives Resources and related materials for The Manual for Mealtimes You can view and download the &ldquo;Manual for Mealtimes: supporting residents with eating and drinking&rdquo;. It includes information on how and when to refer to Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) You can view a A Vimeo video on Manual for Mealtimes&nbsp; The presentation","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/566","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=566"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/566\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13701,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/566\/revisions\/13701"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/557"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=566"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}