Thickening fluids

Fluid recommendations

This leaflet describes what is meant by “thickened fluids” and how to make these correctly. Your speech and language therapist will have recommended a certain fluid consistency or “level” to help with your or your relative’s swallowing. A thickening powder is used to help ensure fluids are the correct consistency. It is important to follow the directions and number of scoops required when making the fluids to the correct consistency or level.

Consistencies

• Level 1 (slightly thick)
• Level 2 (mildly thick)
• Level 3 (moderately thick)
• Level 4 (extremely thick)

How does it help?

The consistency (thickness) of your drinks has been adapted to help with your ability to swallow. It slows down the rate at which the drink travels down your throat towards your stomach. It can reduce the risk of fluids going down the wrong way into your windpipe, which could potentially lead to chest infections or pneumonia. It is important to thicken all of your drinks as advised to reduce the risk of this happening.

What is Resource ThickenUp Clear?

Resource ThickenUp Clear is a white, odourless, tasteless powder used to thicken fluids. It does not alter the smell or taste of fluids, but it does alter the consistency of your drinks. The thickener has in itself, no nutritional value. It is only being added to change the consistency of the fluid, making it easier and safer to swallow.

Instructions on how to prepare thickened fluids

• Add the advised amount of scoops to a clean, dry cup/beaker. Ensure the scoop is level.
• Add the liquid to the powder.
• Start stirring immediately until the powder is completely dissolved.
• Leave to stand for a few minutes to ensure the drink has reached its desired thickness.
• Enjoy your drink.

The above images shows the process of thickening a liquid using powder.

Top tips

• Use a measuring jug to ensure you use the correct amount of liquid for the powder.
• Use the dosage scoop included in the tin to ensure the right amount of powder is used.
• Let the drink stand for a few minutes to allow time for it to reach the correct thickness, as some drinks may thicken differently depending on the liquid used. It is important to allow time for the drink to thicken in hot drinks and ‘‘full’’ fluids (e.g. milk) as these take longer to reach their final consistency.
• If thickening fizzy drinks, it can help to stir the fizzy drink first before adding it to the powder to reduce the amount of carbonation.
• Drinks that have more than one part e.g. tea and milk and cordial and water, should be prepared in a separate cup and then poured onto the powder.
• Your drink should be one consistency without lumps – if this is not the case, get rid of the drink and start again, making sure you have followed all of the above advice.

Other important advice

• It is important that thickener is added to all drinks, including hot drinks, cold drinks, fizzy drinks and alcoholic drinks, unless your speech and language therapist specifies otherwise.
• You will also need to ensure that sauces, soups, gravy, cream and custard are the correct consistency (thickener can be added to these).
• Jelly or ice cream are not suitable for people who are recommended to have thickened fluids. This is because they dissolve into a thinner fluid as they are being eaten.
• You may like certain drinks thickened more than others, for example fruit juice, squash, milk or hot chocolate may be preferable over plain water.
• Thickened fluids can be served cold – you can keep thickened drinks refrigerated for up to a maximum of 24 hours.
• If you are providing assistance to someone, be encouraging and positive when offering thickened drinks and fluids.
• Your speech and language therapist has recommended your fluid consistency or level for a reason, so it is important not to experiment, leave out or use less thickener than advised. Ask your speech and language therapist if you would like further advice.
• The thickener may possibly affect how medication works.

Please check with a pharmacist or GP for further advice if you have any concerns.

Going home with thickener

Resource ThickenUp Clear will have been prescribed for you whilst you are in hospital. If you need this on your discharge from hospital, you will be provided with a supply to leave hospital with and your GP will prescribe you a supply of Resource ThickenUp Clear.

You/your relative has been recommended the following fluid consistency (to be completed by your speech and language therapist)

Name:                                                                                   Date:

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand, please contact the Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number on 01384 456111 and ask for the relevant department who issued this leaflet.

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.

Originator: Helen Gough. Date originated: May 2020. Review date: March 2026. Next review due: April 2029. Version: 2. DGH ref: DGH/PIL/02096.