Swallowing Well Programme

With 20% of the Hong Kong population being elders, aging-associated conditions such as dementia, sarcopenia, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke can cause difficulty in swallowing. Based on data from the Department of Health, around 20% to 40%, of elderly individuals who have had a stroke, encounter varying degrees of swallowing difficulty.

Besides making a safe and efficient transfer of food from mouth to stomach, dysphagia (swallowing difficulty) affects nutritional intake and water absorption, leading to malnutrition, weight loss, weak immunity, and a poorer quality of life. Once food or liquid enters the airway by mistake, aspiration pneumonia could be resulted, and which, in severe cases it would lead to fatality. Therefore, dysphagia is a health risk of the elderlies which requires early medical attention.

The “Swallowing Well Programme” organised by CUHK Medical Centre is coordinated by geriatrician, speech therapist, dietitian and geriatric nurse to best support elders and their caregivers in need to address their swallowing and related geriatric problems. 

Programme Features

Tailor to the needs of elders with potential swallowing problem  

The team consists of speech therapists, specialist nurses and registered dietitians for holistic diagnostic and therapeutic support 

One-stop multi-disciplinary support within CUHK Medical Centre. Referral to our medical specialists i.e. geriatrician and otorhinolaryngologist etc. can be arranged for medical assessment if necessary

Programme Content

With the generous support and donation from The S.H. Ho Foundation, eligible clients confirmed by the Elderly Clinic’s medical team can receive a FREE swallowing assessment and treatment services conducted by our speech therapist (equivalent to a subsidy of HK$1,500). 

Eligibility Criteria for Subsidised Services:
 

Aged 70 or above

Suffers from symptoms of swallowing problem

Currently not receiving
any subsidised speech therapy service

Eligibility confirmed by the Elderly Clinic’s medical team

Swallowing assessment
 

• One swallowing assessment and treatment services
• Managed by speech therapists
• Medical history and symptom inquiry
• Instrumental assessment of swallowing muscles
• Efficiency and safety assessment for food of varying texture and liquid of different consistencies
• Diagnosis of swallowing-related conditions, recommendation of intervention regimen, and referral in case of need
   

Speech therapists will recommend intervention regimen based on each individual's needs and ability to swallow
 

Speech therapy

Individually-tailored speech therapy regimen led by speech therapists to improve the patient’s ability to swallow through exercises, neuro-rehabilitation, biofeedback therapy and other means, supported by compensatory strategies to help patients rediscover both the ability and joy of eating

Dietary advisory

Providing nutritional assessment and advice on diet to both elders and their carers by registered dietitian

Nurse instruction

Providing personalised dietary and daily living advices to both elders and their carers by our geriatric nurse

Based on the situation of each individual case, patient may be referred to the relevant specialists, or increase number of treatment sessions with additional fee.

Individuals who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the above subsidy can still opt for the swallowing assessment and treatment services by our speech therapist with a self-payment of HK$1,500 per session.

Terms and Conditions

1. The services provided under the Swallowing Well Programme (this “Programme”) shall be provided by medical professionals comprising speech therapist(s), registered dietitian(s) and geriatric nurse(s) as designated by CUHK Medical Centre (“CUHKMC”). 
2. Subject to these terms and conditions, in order to be eligible for one swallowing assessment and treatment services under the Programme conducted by a speech therapist designated by CUHKMC which is fully subsidised by The S.H. Ho Foundation, each potential participant shall be confirmed by the medical team of the Elderly Clinic of CUHKMC to have fulfilled the following eligibility criteria: (a) aged 70 or above with symptoms of swallowing problem, and (b) at the time being not receiving any subsidised speech therapy service. If a person does not meet the eligibility criteria set out in this Clause, such person can still opt for receiving such swallowing assessment and treatment services at the prevailing listed price of CUHKMC. 
3. The services under this Programme do not include any consultation/treatment services by doctor(s), medication, and/or goods (such as thickener and nutritional supplements for swallowing difficulties).
4. Due to the nature of this Programme, once the designated amount for subsidising the services under the Programme has been depleted, CUHKMC will stop providing any subsidised services under the Programme.
5. Advance booking is required for this Programme, subject to service availability of CUHKMC.
6. Unless otherwise specified by CUHKMC, this Programme cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts or offers.
7. This Programme is not transferrable and cannot be exchanged for cash or other products or services, and any fees paid for the services under the Programme (if applicable) are not refundable and cannot be exchanged for other products or services.
8. In case of any dispute, the decision of CUHK Medical Centre Limited shall be final and conclusive.
9. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
10. In the event of inconsistency between the English and Chinese versions of these Terms and Conditions, the English version shall prevail.