Nutrition After Stroke: Eating Safely When Swallowing Is Hard | Stronger After Stroke

After a stroke, something as simple as eating can suddenly feel overwhelming or even dangerous. If you or someone you love has been told they need a modified texture diet, you probably have more questions than answers. In this episode of "Stronger After Stroke," Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, stroke nurse navigator, Norton Neuroscience Institute, sits down with Bethany Farmer, RDN, LDN, M.Ed., registered dietitian and clinical nutritionist, to take the confusion out of eating safely at home after stroke.

Bethany brings clinical expertise and practical real-world guidance to the table. She breaks down what a modified texture diet means, how the IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) framework works, and why following the prescribed diet level is one of the most important things a stroke survivor can do to protect their recovery.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

· What modified texture diets are and why they matter after stroke

· Common foods that seem safe but can be dangerous for people with swallowing difficulties

· How to thicken liquids correctly and consistently at home

· Practical tips for keeping meals nutritious, appealing and dignified

· Signs that swallowing may be improving and when to ask for a reevaluation

· How caregivers can support safe mealtimes without added stress

One of the biggest fears involving dysphagia is that mealtimes will never feel normal again. Bethany's message is one of both caution and hope. With the right knowledge and the right team, eating can still be safe, satisfying and even enjoyable.

Whether you are a stroke survivor navigating a new way of eating, a caregiver trying to keep your loved one safe at the table or a clinician looking for patient-friendly resources to share, this episode is packed with information you can use right away.

Want more inspiring stories and real-life resources? Subscribe and share "Stronger After Stroke" with someone who needs a little extra support navigating life after stroke.

For more support after stroke, check out the programs available virtually and in person through Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services-and-conditions/neurosciences/patient-resources/resource-center/

If you enjoyed this podcast, listen to Norton Healthcare's "MedChat" podcast, available in your favorite podcast app. "MedChat" provides continuing medical education on the go and is targeted toward physicians and clinicians. Norton Healthcare, a not-for-profit healthcare system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com.

Date of original release: July 13, 2026

Episode 43: Swallowing Safely After Stroke: A Speech Therapist's Guide for Stroke Survivors and Caregivers | Stronger After Stroke

Swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia, affect nearly half of all stroke survivors, yet many families don't receive clear answers about what's happening or what to do next. In this episode, Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, stroke nurse navigator, sits down with Scarlett Staton, M.S., CCC-SLP, a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist, to pull back the curtain on one of stroke recovery's most overlooked challenges.

Whether you're a survivor navigating a new diet, a caregiver managing mealtimes at home or a family member trying to advocate in the hospital, this conversation gives you the information you need.

What you'll hear in this episode:

· Why dysphagia happens after stroke and what's going on in the brain and body

· The difference between silent aspiration and visible swallowing difficulty, and why silent aspiration is so dangerous

· What thickened liquids and modified food textures really mean for daily life

· How swallowing recovery progresses and what realistic timelines look like

· How to advocate for a swallowing evaluation if one hasn't been offered

· What caregivers need to know about safe mealtimes at home

· The connection between dysphagia and speech recovery

Want more inspiring stories and real-life resources? Subscribe and share "Stronger After Stroke" with someone who needs a little extra support navigating life after stroke.

For more support after stroke, check out the programs available virtually and in person through the Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Center: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services-and-conditions/neurosciences/patient-resources/resource-center/

If you enjoyed this podcast, listen to Norton Healthcare's "MedChat" podcast, available in your favorite podcast app. "MedChat" provides continuing medical education on the go and is targeted toward physicians and clinicians. Norton Healthcare, a not-for-profit healthcare system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com.

Date of original release: June 8, 2026

Episode 42: 30 years of stroke care: What survivors and caregivers need to know now | Stronger After Stroke

Stroke care has been transformed over the past three decades, and those advances mean something real for survivors and caregivers navigating recovery right now. In this episode, host Rosa Hart, BSN, R.N., SCRN, sits down with three Norton Neuroscience Institute staff to break down what the 2024 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association updated stroke guidelines mean for you.

In this episode:

· What stroke program certification means for patients

· The truth about thrombectomy and why calling 911 as soon as possible changes everything

· What neuroplasticity means for recovery, even years after stroke

· Therapies backed by strong evidence that many survivors never hear about

· Why caregivers are now formally part of the standard of care

· What to do when you live far from a major stroke center

Meet the guests:

Jessica Sumner, MSN, R.N., CNS, CEN, director of clinical effectiveness and stroke care for Norton Healthcare, leads stroke program certification and statewide quality improvement efforts across Kentucky and Indiana.

Jeanette Lanoire, P.T., DPT, NCS, is a physical therapist and board-certified neurologic clinical specialist. She has deep expertise in stroke rehabilitation, movement disorders and community-based neurological wellness.

Dimitri Laurent, M.D., is a neurosurgeon and spine surgeon known for making complex surgical information clear and approachable for patients and families.

This conversation is not for clinicians. It is for survivors, caregivers and anyone who wants to understand what great stroke care looks like and how to ask for it.

Subscribe to "Stronger After Stroke" for more episodes at the intersection of clinical excellence and real recovery.

Want more inspiring stories and real-life resources? Subscribe and share "Stronger After Stroke" with someone who needs a little extra support navigating their recovery.

For more support after stroke, check out the programs available virtually and in person through Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers: https://nortonhealthcare.com/services-and-conditions/neurosciences/patient-resources/resource-center/

If you enjoyed this podcast, listen to Norton Healthcare's "MedChat" podcast, available in your favorite podcast app. "MedChat" provides continuing medical education on the go and is targeted toward physicians and clinicians. Norton Healthcare, a not-for-profit health care system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com.

Date of original release: May 11, 2026