Elizabeth was my husband's nurse for several days during our three week stay at Rancho Los Amigos. When she found out my husband was clear to eat pureed foods, she was very happy and closely monitored how much my husband was eating. Due to preference and texture the choices my husband began to pocket his food and refused to swallow any of the foods or drinks provided by the cafeteria.
Elizabeth demonstrated great care and concern and began to explore what J liked to eat when he was able to eat regular food. She prepared thickened orange juice in cold temperatures for my husband, which he drank. She checked in on him when the speech therapist came to see him to inquire what could be done to modify the texture of the food given to J because he was chewing and swallowing the chopped peaches the therapist was feeding him. Together they explored ways and techniques to get J to swallow; they even recommended I bring his favorite foods in a texture he could have.
Elizabeth really showed genuine care and empathy for helping my husband achieve the goal of swallowing through the exploration and creating thinking and monitoring. She also helped me think "out of the box" to help my husband in this situation and not be complacent with feeding through the "G" tube.
She took initiative and was proactive in her efforts to get my husband to swallow his foods/drinks. We were able to get him to swallow beans, eggs, and sandwiches.