Online IDDSI & Dysphagia Training Canada

Practical online dysphagia awareness and IDDSI Framework training for long-term care, care, dietary and foodservice teams across Canada.

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 Canadian Care and Foodservice Teams

Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing and can affect a person’s ability to eat and drink safely and comfortably.

For staff involved in supporting individuals with swallowing difficulties, an appropriate understanding of dysphagia, texture-modified foods, thickened liquids and prescribed eating and drinking recommendations can form an important part of safe and consistent support.

The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) provides standardised terminology and definitions for describing texture-modified foods and thickened liquids.

IDDSI is relevant within Canadian healthcare and long-term care. Canadian long-term-care nutrition guidance discusses the use of IDDSI to standardise food textures and fluid consistencies, while IDDSI maintains dedicated Canadian resources and reference-group activity.

FlexiLearnHub’s online Dysphagia Awareness & IDDSI Framework Training provides practical awareness-level learning for staff working in care, long-term care, dietary and foodservice environments.

Who Is This Online IDDSI Training For?

This awareness course may be particularly relevant for people working in:

• • Long-term care homes

• • Residential and continuing care

• • Care and support roles

• • Dietary services

• • Foodservice and catering teams

• • Kitchen and hospitality roles

• • Organisations supporting people with swallowing difficulties

The course can be completed by individual learners or used by organisations wishing to strengthen staff awareness and understanding of dysphagia and the IDDSI Framework.

What Will You Learn?

Understanding Dysphagia

Develop awareness of dysphagia, how swallowing difficulties can affect eating and drinking, and why individual assessment and professional recommendations are important.

Understanding the IDDSI Framework

Learn how the IDDSI Framework provides standardised terminology and definitions for different food textures and drink thicknesses.

The current IDDSI Framework and Detailed Level Definitions is Version 2.2, while the current Testing Methods document is Version 2.0.

Texture-Modified Foods & Thickened Liquids

Develop awareness of why texture-modified foods or thickened liquids may be recommended for some individuals and why staff should follow each person’s documented recommendations.

Supporting Consistency

Understand why clear communication and consistency between care, dietary and foodservice teams are important when supporting people with dysphagia.

IDDSI Testing & Awareness

Gain an introduction to IDDSI testing methods and their role within the framework.

Why IDDSI Awareness Matters in Canadian Long-Term Care

People living in long-term care may have individual and sometimes complex eating, drinking and swallowing requirements.

Where texture-modified foods or thickened liquids have been recommended, staff involved in preparing, serving or supporting food and drinks need to understand the terminology being used and follow the individual’s documented recommendations.

Canadian long-term-care guidance has identified IDDSI as a means of standardising food textures and fluid consistencies and has highlighted the potential value of consistent terminology when residents move between long-term care and other healthcare settings.

A shared understanding of the IDDSI Framework can therefore support clearer communication between different members of the care and foodservice team.

Flexible Online Training from FlexiLearnHub

Complete the training online from anywhere in Canada.

100% Online Access

No classroom attendance is required.

Learn at Your Own Pace

Learners can progress through the training flexibly and revisit course material during their access period.

Knowledge Check

Course learning is reinforced through an online knowledge check.

Certificate on Completion

Learners receive a certificate after successfully completing the course requirements.

Individual & Team IDDSI Training

FlexiLearnHub supports both individual learners and organisations looking for accessible online staff awareness training.

The online format can be particularly useful for organisations with employees working different shifts, at different locations or across larger geographical areas.

View Online Group IDDSI Training

The IDDSI Framework

The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative developed the IDDSI Framework to provide common terminology and definitions for texture-modified foods and thickened liquids.

The official IDDSI resources include detailed Framework definitions, testing methods and supporting educational resources. Materials are available in both English and French, which is particularly useful in the Canadian context.

Official IDDSI Framework & Resources

Important Information About This Training

FlexiLearnHub’s Dysphagia Awareness & IDDSI Framework Training is an awareness-level educational course.

It does not qualify learners to diagnose dysphagia, conduct swallowing assessments, prescribe an IDDSI level or independently change a person’s prescribed food texture or liquid consistency.

Assessment of swallowing difficulties and individual clinical recommendations should be undertaken by appropriately qualified healthcare professionals. Staff should follow each person’s current documented recommendations and their organisation’s policies and procedures.

FlexiLearnHub is a UK-based online training provider, and this course is available internationally, including to learners and organisations in Canada.