Coming Home Shouldn't Mean Managing This Alone
An injury, a hospital stay or surgery can change how swallowing feels, sometimes for a few weeks, sometimes longer. The discharge instructions cover the basics.
What often gets missed is the ongoing support you need once you're home and at the dining table again.
Registered Speech Language Pathologist · Virtual Across Ontario · No referral needed
Dysphagia & Swallowing Disorders
Common signs of swallowing difficulty
Swallowing changes often follow a hospital stay, surgery, stroke, brain injury, or neurological condition. You might notice:
Diet restrictions
You were told you can advance your diet, but you’re not sure how
Coughing during meals
You cough or clear your throat while eating or right after
Meals take longer
Eating takes much longer, or you avoid certain foods
Fear around eating
Worry about choking has changed how or what you eat
Food Sticking
Food feels stuck in your throat after you swallow
Weight loss or reduced appetite
You're eating less because of worry or increased effort
Wet or gurgly voice
Your voice sounds wet or gurgly after eating or drinking
Choking episodes
Food or drink seems to “go down the wrong way.
Family members and caregivers are welcome throughout this process. Eating is just as much about socializing as it is about the food.
On virtual dysphagia management
If you're experiencing frequent coughing or choking with meals, unexplained weight loss, or repeated chest infections, please speak with your doctor promptly, alongside reaching out here. Virtual therapy supports ongoing management, but it isn't a substitute for urgent medical care.
A referral from your doctor or a hospital discharge recommendation can be helpful but is not required.
Assessment happens virtually, through a full clinical evaluation of your swallowing history, symptoms, and how eating and drinking actually go day to day. Where indicated, a clinical swallow assessment may be completed. This is not an instrumental assessment, which you may have completed during a hospital stay.
If you do have results from an instrumental swallow study, done by your hospital or another provider, the results can be incorporated into your care plan.
If any of this sounds familiar, reach out.
getting start is simple
No referral needed
You don't need a referral or a diagnosis to receive speech therapy.
Start whenever you're ready.
Direct Billing Available
Cognicare direct bills most major insurers, including Canada Life, Manulife, Desjardins, and Beneva, so claims go straight to your insurer.
How Speech Therapy Helps dysphagia management
Ongoing management typically includes:
✓⃝ Swallow exercises: Improving strength and coordination during recovery
✓⃝ Diet and texture guidance: Clear recommendations using using a structured framework and incorporating personalized recommendations for cultural foods and recipes
✓⃝ Advancing your diet: Moving to new textures safely as swallowing changes
✓⃝ Caregiver education: Mealtime support for the whole family to help reduce stress
This kind of ongoing, structured follow-up is often exactly what's missing after discharge, when appointments are booked weeks out and questions come up in the meantime.
what happens next
Free consultation
15 minutes. No obligation.
Assessment
A clear picture of your strengths, challenges, and goals
Treatment plan
Built around your recovery timeline and daily eating habits
Functional application
Strategies move into real mealtimes at home, with guidance on advancing your diet safely as you go
Progress and taper
Sessions ease off as you meet your goals and safer and more comfortable. You leave with a plan that's yours to keep and an open door to return to if needed.
why virtual speech therapy?
Online speech therapy offers the convenience of receiving personalized treatment straight into your home. It offers increased flexibility in your schedule, removes the commute time, and accommodates your abilities and energy.
With Cognicare:
No downloads or subscriptions required
One click access. You receive a personalized link to your session in your inbox
Sessions are safe, secure, and private
Mariya is a registered speech-language pathologist based in Toronto, with experience in outpatient dysphagia management, both in person and virtually, following stroke and brain injury.
who you’ll work with
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime!
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Yes, it includes a clinical evaluation of your history, your symptoms, and how meals go day to day. It doesn't replace an instrumental swallow study, which is done in hospital. Referrals for instrumental swallow assessments are facilitated through your family doctor.
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Yes. This is specifically called pill dysphagia. Depending on your current swallowing abilities, personalized recommendations can be provided to support pill intake.