Use ice chips, popsicles, juice bars, gelatin, ice cream, sherbet, soup, broth, fruit and vegetable juices, lemonade and flavoured water to incorporate liquids into the diet.

Feed small amounts of food first, then gradually increase the amount as the ability to swallow increases.

If the person is not swallowing between spoonfuls, put an empty spoon into the mouth to trigger the swallowing mechanism.

Use wide, shallow glasses instead of tall, narrow ones.

Never feed someone lying down if at all possible and do not tilt the head back. If the person must be fed in bed, prop up with pillows.

Watch for foods that have a double consistency i.e. anything with a skin such as peas, grapes. These may be difficult to manage.

Do not wash food down with a liquid.

Do not use straws for chewing and swallowing problems. Straws increase air swallowing and add to the number of steps required for drinking.

Fortified nutritional drinks such as Carnation Instant Breakfast are a good source of nutrition and may be cheaper than liquid supplements. Powdered protein can also be used to make a high protein drink.

Choose nutrient-dense foods — dairy foods, lean meats, eggs — that provide high levels of nutrients and calories in small quantities of food

Serve several small meals instead of three large meals daily

Serve familiar foods. Older people like the foods they grew up with.

Boost the flavour of foods with herbs, seasonings, lemon juice, orange juice, low-sodium beef, chicken and vegetable flavours, maple syrup, bacon bits

Warm or hot foods carry stronger smells, which may stimulate the appetite

Support the back with pillows, if necessary, so that a person can sit in an upright position for eating

For a person with poor eyesight, use dishes that contrast with the tabletop

Since full upper and lower plates completely cover the inside of the mouth, it may help the person to eat by removing the dentures so he can feel the food in his mouth (particularly when dementia is present and seniors can start forgetting how to eat)

Get a grip! slide foam rubber hair curlers over the handles of forks and spoons.