Dysphagia: little condition leads to big problems

Young people with brain tumour/brain cancer also suffer from dysphasia and loss speech. These symptoms are not easily recognised by nursing staff. As a patient advocate /carer (nurse) I found talking to the nursing staff about these problems were not always well received. Therefore the patient while attempting to eat lunch chocked had a seizure and aspirated. He died a few days later. The patient was 43 years old and had terminal brain tumour/cancer. I also found nursing staff need better education on oral hygiene which does not always get attended to and should be attended to twice daily as a routine. I say this because food remains in the gum area and teeth. I alway made sure my son had good oral hygiene at home and if neglected in the hospital setting. General nursing care needs a review.