Editing Choking (section)

=== Prevention for other groups at risk ===
Some population groups have a higher risk of choking, such as the elderly, persons with disabilities (physically or mentally), people under the effects of alcohol or drugs, people who have taken medications that reduce the ability to salivate or react, patients with difficulties in swallowing ([[dysphagia]]), suicidal individuals, people with epilepsy, and people on the autism spectrum. They may require more assistance to feed themselves, and it may be necessary to supervise them while they eat.

As the ability to eat is deteriorating, some problematic foods (such as hot dogs, sausages, bananas, or grapes) can be split into slices and, additionally, lengthwise (being the cut into slices the main part for safety in many long-shaped foods). People who are unable to chew properly should not be served hard food. In cases where a person is unable to safely eat, food can be given by feeding syringes.

People who have taken any medication that reduces saliva should not eat solid food until their salivation is restored.