Dorian,

Swallowing problem is common for people with Alzheimer's. My FIL has this problem. However, the nursing home just changed the diet to pureed food and soft regular desserts or cut fruit. He does not choke on pureed food now but he used to choke on dry fish and etc. Now at times he still chokes at the drink but slowly he can still eat overall.

He has never been tested for swallowing and it was not necessary to make him go through the agony of testing given severe stage (he is wheelchair-bound.) When he started pureed food, it was 3 months before he stopped walking with a cane. It is part of the decline. However my FIL declines very slowly. Now even he does not talk actively, he is still OK. But when the person has swallowing problem, something has to be done. That is why he had pureed food to prevent him from choking. This choking issue has lasted a long time.

Regards,

Nina