Practical online dysphagia awareness and IDDSI Framework training USA for long-term care, skilled nursing, assisted living, dietary and foodservice teams across the United States.
Support staff knowledge and understanding of dysphagia, texture-modified foods, thickened liquids and the internationally recognised IDDSI Framework with flexible online training from FlexiLearnHub.
100% Online Training | Study at Your Own Pace | Certificate on Completion | Individual & Team Training
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IDDSI & Dysphagia Awareness Training for US Care and Foodservice Teams
Dysphagia — difficulty swallowing — can affect a person’s ability to eat and drink safely and comfortably. It is particularly relevant within long-term care and skilled nursing environments, where teams may regularly support people with swallowing difficulties.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) reports that estimates of dysphagia prevalence in skilled nursing facilities exceed 60%, although prevalence varies according to the population and method of assessment.
The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) provides a standardized international framework for describing texture-modified foods and thickened liquids. In the USA, United States, ASHA, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals support collaborative implementation of IDDSI.
FlexiLearnHub’s online course provides accessible awareness training for staff who need to understand the principles of dysphagia and IDDSI as part of their role.
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Who Is This Online IDDSI Training For?
This course may be particularly useful for people working in:
- Long-term care facilities
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Assisted living settings
- Dietary and nutrition services
- Foodservice and catering teams
- Caregiving and support roles
- Healthcare support services
- Organizations providing training for multidisciplinary care and foodservice teams
The US IDDSI Reference Group identifies staff education and competency as important considerations when implementing IDDSI and highlights collaboration between speech-language pathologists, registered dietitians, foodservice leaders and other members of the care team.
What Will You Learn?
The online Dysphagia Awareness & IDDSI Framework Training introduces learners to key areas including:
Understanding Dysphagia
Develop awareness of what dysphagia is, how swallowing difficulties can affect individuals, and why appropriate support is important.
Understanding the IDDSI Framework
Learn about the internationally standardized terminology used to describe different levels of drinks and texture-modified foods.
The current IDDSI Framework and Detailed Level Definitions are Version 2.2, with levels running from Level 0 through Level 7.
Texture-Modified Foods & Thickened Liquids
Develop awareness of why food texture and liquid thickness may be modified for individuals with dysphagia and why staff should follow each person’s prescribed recommendations.
Supporting Consistency
Understand why communication and consistency between care, clinical, dietary and foodservice teams matter when preparing and serving food and drinks.
IDDSI Testing & Awareness
Gain an introduction to the principles surrounding IDDSI levels and testing methods, helping learners better understand the terminology they may encounter in practice.
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Why IDDSI Matters in US Long-Term Care
Consistent preparation and communication around texture-modified food and liquids can be particularly important in long-term care.
US IDDSI guidance for long-term care facilities identifies issues including food not being served as ordered, inconsistent food quality, difficulty accommodating different IDDSI levels and gaps in staff training. It emphasizes clear understanding of diet-order terminology and how prescribed foods and liquids should be prepared and served.
Using a standardized framework can help different members of the team use consistent terminology when discussing texture-modified food and thickened liquids.
Importantly, IDDSI does not replace individualized clinical assessment. ASHA states that speech-language pathologists consider swallowing physiology and individual circumstances when making recommendations concerning diet texture modifications.
Flexible Online Training from FlexiLearnHub
FlexiLearnHub’s course is delivered entirely online, allowing learners in the United States to access training without attending a classroom session.
Learners can work through the training at their own pace, making it suitable for individual professional development or organizations wishing to provide awareness training to multiple members of staff.
Online Access
Complete the training online from a computer, laptop or compatible device.
Learn at Your Own Pace
Work through the course around existing work and personal commitments.
Knowledge Check
Complete the course learning and assessment to demonstrate understanding of the awareness content.
Certificate on Completion
Successful learners receive a course certificate following completion.
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Individual & Team IDDSI Training
Need training for more than one member of your team?
FlexiLearnHub can support both individual learners and organizational staff training, making the course suitable for long-term care, skilled nursing, assisted living, dietary and foodservice teams.
Group training can provide organizations with a straightforward way to give multiple staff members access to consistent dysphagia and IDDSI awareness learning.
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Watch: Introduction to IDDSI & Dysphagia Training USA
Discover how FlexiLearnHub’s online Dysphagia Awareness & IDDSI Framework Training can help care, dietary and foodservice staff develop practical awareness of dysphagia and the IDDSI Framework.
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The IDDSI Framework
The IDDSI Framework provides common terminology for describing food textures and drink thicknesses for people with swallowing difficulties.
The framework includes eight levels numbered 0–7, incorporating drinks and foods at different levels. The appropriate level for an individual should be determined through appropriate professional assessment rather than selected by an unqualified member of staff.
For authoritative information about the framework, testing methods and current definitions, visit the:
Official IDDSI Framework Documents
US professionals can also find information about IDDSI through:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association – IDDSI
Important Information About This Training
FlexiLearnHub’s course is designed to provide awareness-level education.
It does not qualify a learner to diagnose dysphagia, perform swallowing assessments, prescribe an IDDSI level or independently change an individual’s prescribed food texture or liquid consistency.
Clinical assessment and recommendations should be undertaken by appropriately qualified healthcare professionals in accordance with their professional scope of practice and applicable facility, state and federal requirements.
The course is provided online by FlexiLearnHub, a UK-based training provider, and is available to learners in the United States.
Start Your Online IDDSI & Dysphagia Training
Develop your understanding of dysphagia, texture-modified foods, thickened liquids and the internationally recognised IDDSI Framework with flexible online learning from FlexiLearnHub.
Suitable for individual learners and staff teams across the United States.
Online Dysphagia Awareness & IDDSI Framework Training USA
Course Price & International Payment
Course price: £15 GBP
FlexiLearnHub is a UK-based training provider and welcomes learners from the USA. International card payments are accepted securely through Stripe. Your card provider will convert the £15 GBP payment into US dollars $ using its applicable exchange rate.
✓ 100% online training
✓ Instant access after purchase
✓ CPD Accredited Certificate following successful completion