At what angle should a bed be elevated to assist with feeding?

To assist with feeding, the bed should be elevated to an angle of about 30 to 45 degrees. This elevation helps ensure the safety and comfort of the patient by promoting proper swallowing and reducing the risk of aspiration, which is when food or liquid enters the airway instead of the esophagus.

At this angle, patients are typically able to sit more comfortably and have an easier time consuming their food and liquids without choking. Additionally, this position aids in digestion, as it allows gravity to assist the movement of food through the digestive tract.

Elevating the bed too little, as in lower angles, might not provide adequate support for such activities, while too high angles can be uncomfortable and may even lead to difficulty in maintaining balance for some patients, increasing the risk of injury or spills during feeding. Therefore, the elevation of 30 to 45 degrees is optimal for effective assistance during feeding.