Oral and Swallowing Function in Older Adults

Bedside water swallow dysphagia screen where vocal quality of the participant is assessed before and after swallowing 3 ounces of water

Scored assessment of the lymph nodes, lips, tongue, tissue inside of cheek, floor and roof of mouth, gums between teeth and/or under artificial teeth, saliva, condition of natural/artificial teeth, chewing position of teeth, and oral cleanliness

"Maximum isometric lingual pressure at the front and back of tongue will be measured by placing an air-filled pressure bulb on the surface of the oral tongue and having participants press the bulb as hard as possible against the hard palate"

Measurement of bites, masticatory cycles, swallows, and time taken to consume a cracker

Participants will take a maximum inhalation and forcefully exhale into a spirometer to measure maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), fully exhale their air and take a maximal inhalation into the spirometer to measure maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and produce a single strong cough into to spirometer to measure peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1)