[Expert consensus on prevention and clinical management of aspiration in the elderly (2026 edition)].

With the accelerating population aging in China, elderly aspiration has become a prevalent and high-risk clinical problem characterized by high incidence rate and severe adverse outcomes. However, standardized, unified whole-process prevention and control systems for elderly aspiration are still lacking in clinical practice. To fill this clinical gap and standardize relevant clinical behaviors, five academic institutions jointly organized multidisciplinary expert panels to formulate this expert consensus. Complying with World Health Organization guideline development specifications and the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) evidence grading system, this consensus was formulated based on high-quality domestic and international literature evidence and extensive clinical experience, through multiple rounds of expert discussions and rigorous argumentation, finally forming 15 core clinical recommendations. Targeting the Chinese elderly population, it applies to professional medical staff in various medical and community health institutions, pension institution practitioners, and family caregivers involved in elderly health management. This consensus systematically expounds the definition, classification, epidemiological characteristics, risk factors and pathological mechanisms of elderly aspiration. It standardizes dynamic risk assessment strategies for admission and disease progression, and unifies standardized screening and diagnostic procedures for aspiration. Focusing on full-cycle clinical management, it sorts out standardized intervention measures covering oral care, dietary and postural management, medication optimization, rehabilitation training and stratified nursing, and emphasizes the value of multidisciplinary collaborative management and innovative technical applications. This consensus is dedicated to standardizing the whole-process system of screening, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and daily management of elderly aspiration, so as to reduce aspiration-related adverse events and improve the health management level of the elderly in China.