Any disruption in the swallowing process may be defined as dysphagia.4 Persons with anatomical or physiologic deficits in the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus may demonstrate signs and symptoms of dysphagia.4 In addition, dysphagia contributes to a variety of negative health status changes; most notably, increased risk of malnutrition and pneumonia. In this review, we will discuss how aging and disease impact swallowing physiology with a focus on nutritional status and pneumonia. We will conclude with a brief overview of dysphagia management approaches and consequences of dysphagia management on nutritional status and pneumonia in the elderly.