Swallowing Evaluation in Boynton Beach
Difficulty swallowing, medically known as dysphagia, can significantly impact your safety, nutrition, and quality of life. When swallowing becomes painful, uncomfortable, or unsafe, even simple meals can become sources of anxiety and frustration.
A professional swallowing evaluation with a licensed speech pathologist in Boynton Beach is the essential first step toward identifying the root causes of your swallowing difficulties and developing an effective, personalized treatment plan that restores safe and confident eating.
Learn About In-Home Swallowing Evaluations in Boynton Beach
Complete this quick form and Nina will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your needs.
Comprehensive In-Home Dysphagia Assessment for Adults and Seniors
At Palm Beach Speech Therapy, Nina Minervini, M.S., CCC-SLP, brings over a decade of specialized experience directly to your home in Boynton Beach.
Her comprehensive, evidence-based swallowing evaluations are designed around your unique medical history, current diet, lifestyle, and personal goals, ensuring that every recommendation fits naturally into your daily routine.
Understanding Swallowing Difficulties
Dysphagia can develop for many reasons and may affect different stages of the swallowing process. Common causes include:
Stroke recovery or neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis
Head and neck cancer or radiation treatment
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or other digestive disorders
Age-related muscle weakness
Dementia or cognitive decline
Post-surgical complications
Warning signs that you may benefit from a swallowing evaluation include frequent coughing or choking during meals, a sensation of food getting stuck, unexplained weight loss, repeated respiratory infections, avoidance of certain foods or textures, or feeling like you need multiple swallows to clear food or liquid.
What Your Swallowing Evaluation Includes
Nina conducts a thorough, multifaceted assessment that examines every aspect of your swallowing function. Your evaluation will include:
Comprehensive Case History Review
Nina begins by discussing your medical background, current medications, recent surgeries or illnesses, and any previous diagnoses that may impact swallowing. She'll ask about your dietary preferences, what foods cause difficulty, and how swallowing challenges affect your daily life.
Clinical Swallowing Examination
This hands-on assessment evaluates the structure and function of your mouth, throat, and related muscles. Nina observes your oral-motor strength, coordination, and range of motion, as well as your ability to protect your airway during swallowing.
Texture and Consistency Trials
You'll be asked to swallow various food textures and liquid consistencies while Nina carefully observes your swallowing mechanics, timing, and any signs of difficulty or aspiration risk. This real-time observation helps identify which textures are safest for you.
Aspiration Risk Screening
Nina watches for subtle signs that food or liquid may be entering your airway, such as changes in voice quality, throat clearing, coughing, or breathing patterns during or after swallowing.
Functional Assessment of Your Eating Environment
Because the evaluation takes place in your home, Nina can observe your actual mealtime setup, including seating position, table height, lighting, plate placement, and the utensils you typically use.
Caregiver Education and Collaboration
If you have a family member or caregiver who assists with meals, Nina will involve them in the evaluation process, providing guidance on safe feeding techniques, positioning, pacing, and supervision strategies.
Following your evaluation, Nina will discuss her findings with you in clear, understandable terms and may coordinate with your physician, dietitian, or other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care.
The Advantages of In-Home Swallowing Evaluation
When your swallowing evaluation happens in your own home, Nina gains invaluable insight into your real-world eating experience. She can see:
How you naturally position yourself at your dining table
The specific foods and beverages you consume regularly
Environmental factors that may help or hinder safe swallowing
How fatigue, time of day, or mealtime routines affect your function
The support system available to you during meals
This comprehensive view allows Nina to create therapy strategies that integrate seamlessly into your existing routines rather than requiring you to adapt to a clinical protocol that may not fit your lifestyle. Home-based evaluation also eliminates transportation barriers and reduces stress, allowing you to demonstrate your typical eating patterns in a comfortable, familiar setting.
Your Personalized Treatment Plan in Boynton Beach
After completing your swallowing evaluation, Nina develops a customized therapy plan based on your specific needs, goals, and safety requirements. Your treatment may include:
Therapeutic Exercises: Targeted strengthening and coordination exercises for the lips, tongue, jaw, and throat muscles that play crucial roles in safe swallowing. These exercises are designed to rebuild strength and improve swallowing efficiency over time.
Compensatory Strategies: Practical techniques you can use immediately to make swallowing safer and easier, such as specific head positions, modified bite sizes, swallowing maneuvers, or pacing adjustments during meals.
Diet Texture Modifications: Evidence-based recommendations for food and liquid consistency changes that reduce your risk while maintaining adequate nutrition and enjoyment. Nina works with you to find modifications that honor your food preferences and cultural traditions.
Environmental and Equipment Adjustments: Suggestions for changes to your seating, table setup, adaptive utensils, or specialized cups that can improve your swallowing safety and independence.
Caregiver Training: Hands-on instruction for family members or professional caregivers on meal preparation techniques, safe feeding assistance, proper positioning, emergency procedures, and how to recognize signs of distress.
Ongoing Monitoring and Progress Tracking: Regular follow-up sessions to assess your improvement, adjust your treatment plan as your needs evolve, and ensure that gains are maintained over the long term.
Nina's approach emphasizes both safety and quality of life. Her goal is not just to help you swallow more safely, but to help you regain the pleasure and social connection that mealtimes provide.
Who Benefits from a Swallowing Evaluation?
Nina provides swallowing evaluations for adults and seniors experiencing a wide range of conditions, including:
Stroke survivors working to regain safe eating abilities
Individuals with progressive neurological conditions
Patients recovering from head, neck, or throat surgery
Seniors experiencing age-related swallowing changes
People with chronic respiratory issues linked to swallowing problems
Those with cognitive conditions affecting mealtime safety
Anyone experiencing persistent coughing, choking, or food aversion
Whether your swallowing difficulties developed suddenly or gradually over time, a professional evaluation can identify the underlying causes and guide effective treatment.
Take the First Step Toward Safer Mealtimes
If you or someone you care for is struggling with coughing during meals, avoiding favorite foods, experiencing unexplained weight loss, or showing other signs of swallowing difficulty, don't wait for the problem to worsen.
A professional swallowing evaluation can identify risks, prevent complications like aspiration pneumonia, and open the door to effective treatment that restores both safety and enjoyment at mealtimes.
Schedule your comprehensive in-home swallowing evaluation with Nina Minervini today and take the first step toward eating with confidence again.
📞 Call or Text: (561) 797-2343
📧 Email: ninaminervini11@gmail.com
👉 Request Your Evaluation Now →
Service Areas Throughout Palm Beach County
Nina provides in-home swallowing evaluations throughout Boynton Beach and the surrounding communities, including Delray Beach, Lake Worth, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Wellington, and all of Palm Beach County.
Wherever home is for you, Nina brings expert dysphagia assessment and therapy directly to your door.
Swallowing Evaluation in Boynton Beach — FAQs
What is a swallowing (dysphagia) evaluation?
A clinical assessment performed by a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) to identify what’s causing swallowing difficulty and to recommend strategies, exercises, and diet changes that keep eating and drinking safe.
Who should consider a swallowing evaluation?
Adults or seniors who cough or choke when eating/drinking, feel food “sticking,” need multiple swallows, avoid certain textures, lose weight unintentionally, get frequent chest infections, or have conditions like stroke, Parkinson’s, MS, dementia, head/neck cancer, GERD, or post-surgical changes.
What happens during the evaluation?
Nina reviews your medical history and medications, examines oral-motor function, observes your swallowing with different textures/liquids, screens aspiration risk, and evaluates your mealtime setup at home. You’ll get same-day, plain-language recommendations.
How long does it take?
Most in-home swallowing evaluations take about 60–90 minutes, depending on your medical history and needs.
Is this the same as FEES or a modified barium swallow (VFSS)?
No. This is a comprehensive clinical (bedside) evaluation performed in your home. If instrumental imaging is indicated, Nina will coordinate a referral for FEES or VFSS and integrate those results into your plan.
Will I get a personalized treatment plan?
Yes. You’ll receive an individualized plan that may include targeted exercises, compensatory strategies, diet/texture guidance, equipment or positioning adjustments, caregiver training, and a schedule for follow-ups.
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
Florida allows direct access to SLP services; however, some insurers or physicians may require or prefer a referral. If needed, Nina can coordinate with your medical team.
Do you accept insurance?
Coverage varies by plan. We can provide itemized receipts/superbills upon request so you may seek reimbursement. Please contact us to discuss your specific benefits.
What should I have ready for the visit?
A current medication list, recent medical reports (if available), typical foods/liquids you eat and drink, and any adaptive utensils/cups you already use. Wear comfortable clothing and have your usual dining chair/table accessible.
What areas do you serve?
In-home visits in Boynton Beach and throughout Palm Beach County, including Delray Beach, Lake Worth, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Wellington.
How soon can I be seen?
Appointments are often available within a few days. Call, text, or email to request the next opening.
Can a family member or caregiver be present?
Absolutely. Caregiver involvement is encouraged for education, safe-feeding techniques, and carryover between sessions.
What are red-flag signs that need urgent medical care?
If you have significant breathing trouble, high fever with suspected aspiration, or sudden severe swallowing difficulty after illness or surgery, seek emergency care and inform your physician immediately.
How do follow-up sessions work?
Nina monitors progress, updates exercises and strategies, and coordinates with your physician/dietitian as needed to support lasting, safe mealtimes.
Let’s do this together.
If you or a loved one faces swallowing challenges, I’m here to help. Fill out the form below and I’ll contact you within 24 hours to discuss your needs and schedule a session.