TTMD-R Program Overview

The TTMD-R is a standardized dysphagia management program that is implemented by a speech-language pathologist. The high prevalence of swallowing disorders in long-term care requires that front line staff have proper education, tools and support for managing dysphagia.

The TTMD-R program uses an interdisciplinary and train-the-trainer approach to enable a high quality of care for residents with swallowing disorders in long-term care. The test component of the TTMD-R identifies those who require further assessment and follow up by a speech-language pathologist.
Through the support of the TTMD-R program, and under the guidance of a speech-language pathologist, health care professionals in long-term care will accomplish the following:

  • Systematically identify eating and swallowing concerns in long-term care residents.

  • Determine an appropriate diet texture and liquid consistency and basic management plan for residents with swallowing impairments.

  • Identify residents with dysphagia that require further assessment and rehabilitation of their swallowing disorder by a speech-language pathologist.

  • Implement education programs for staff to reduce the risk of problems associated with dysphagia in long-term care such as aspiration pneumonia and choking.

The TTMD-R was developed to address the needs of the long-term care population while acknowledging the need to effectively use limited SLP resources. The TTMD-R balances the requirement for expertise in the assessment and management of dysphagia with the practical application of interdisciplinary care and standard tools and techniques. The program also includes the education material required to implement and maintain the program.

The TTMD-R package includes:

  • Facilitator Manual
  • Feeding and Swallowing Screening and TTMD-R Test Form
  • Education Material for the Facilitator
  • Education Material for Front-Line Staff