Skip to main content
Cherry & DennisHELPER HABITAT

Cherry & Dennis

What are you looking for?

Enter a keyword to search the website.

Food safety

Sit an older person upright before feeding

Support the person upright as their individual swallowing plan directs before feeding. Pause and obtain help if the position cannot be maintained; never feed while lying flat.

High-priority reminder

Last reviewed: 2026-09-20

Sit an older person upright before feeding. Wrong action: Starting a meal before correcting a reclined or unsupported position. Correct action: Support the person upright as their individual swallowing plan directs before feeding.

Why it matters

Even food of the right texture can enter the airway when fed to someone lying down.

Wrong action

Starting a meal before correcting a reclined or unsupported position.

Correct action

Support the person upright as their individual swallowing plan directs before feeding.

What to do

  1. Check alertness and the person's prescribed feeding position before each meal.
  2. Support the person upright as their individual swallowing plan directs before feeding.
  3. Pause and obtain help if the position cannot be maintained; never feed while lying flat.

If something happens

For serious injury, unconsciousness or difficulty breathing, keep yourself safe, call 999 and follow the operator.

Sources and review

This page provides general home-safety information and does not replace medical, legal, electrical, or other professional advice.

Related safety lessons

Choose your helper's language

Choose your helper's language

Share on WhatsApp

Back to Home Safety Academy