Western NC Healthcare Workers Aim to Bridge Nutritional Gap for People With Disabilities

ARDEN, N.C. (WSPA) – A western North Carolina organization is on a mission to improve healthcare for people with disabilities across the Carolinas beginning with what they eat.

Dr. Craig Escude is the president of IntellectAbility. It’s an online tool that helps caregivers and healthcare providers meet the nutritional needs of someone with disabilities.

“For people with intellectual disabilities, many people have swallowing problems as well, so even if they can have access to healthy foods, they may still be at risk because of swallowing trouble that can cause aspiration and can result in hospitalization, or even unnecessary and preventable deaths,” said Escude.

Escude said the IntellectAbility courses can be one to four hours long. He explained they offer interactive training in how to recognize the signs a person with disabilities is struggling with malnutrition and other health issues. According to Escude, one in three families of adults with disabilities experience food insecurity. He said those conditions are often misdiagnosed.

“People who have intellectual disabilities typically have more challenges in finding gainful employment,” Escude added. “And in receiving and retaining higher educational levels, and all of this impacts their ability to be able to have purchasing power; to purchase healthier foods, and good foods that can improve their overall health.”

Escude went on to say those who are interested in taking IntellectAbility courses can reach out to the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs for access.