Understanding Dysphagia at the End of Life

Dysphagia is a common and often distressing symptom in the final stages of life. It affects comfort, nutrition, hydration, and the emotional well‑being of both patients and families. This webinar explores the clinical, ethical, and communication challenges surrounding dysphagia at the end of life, offering a compassionate, evidence‑informed approach to assessment and care. Participants will learn how to support comfort, dignity, and shared decision‑making while navigating the complexities of reduced swallowing ability in terminal illness.

Learning Objectives
1. By the end of this webinar, participants will: Understand the causes of dysphagia at end of life
2. Understand comfort‑focused versus diagnostic swallowing assessments
3. Be able to implement evidence‑informed, comfort‑centered interventions
4. Be prepared to navigate ethical considerations and risk‑feeding decisions
5. Be able to communicate more effectively with patients, families and the interdisciplinary team

Speaker: Deidre Burns