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My observation from recoveries of family and friends with aneurysms and strokes is there is a initial period (lasting 2-6 months) of decreased cognitive function with memory impairment and often deep depression and resistance to rehab. Most people need someone to push them through the depression and insist they participate in rehab. Once rehab and OT has allowed the person to start doing for themselves, the depression lifts and people begin working rehab harder to see how far back they can make it. I have seen an 85 year old recover in about 18 months from near total right side paralysis to walking with only a cane for balance. A 42 year old after a ruptured aneurysm and multiple small strokes never regained full vision or mobility, but regained enough function to walk with a brace and crutch or push herself around her house on a wheeled office chair and do ADLs and much of housework.
The saddest is one 72 year old from church who was placed in a NH following her stroke and never offered rehab; she taught herself to speak clearly in about 2 years, but lived another 12 without ever being able to get herself out of bed. Even today, I am still so angry at the family for deciding she was old and had already had one stroke so there was no reason to "waste" any time on rehab.
You can make food thick by using vegetables in stead of thickeners, or reducing the liquid put into a soup or other food that will be pureed.
But that does not help with fluids like water, tea, coffee, juice. If you puree some fruits that might help but impractical for most fluids.
A thickener is made from starches so it is not "chemical" based.
You could try using instant potato flakes as a thickener but it will change the flavor of a liquid. Gelatin will not work because as the gelled product reaches body temperature it will act more like a liquid and be easier to aspirate.
You can try yogurt rather than milk, but again that goes down more like a liquid.
Depending on the dysphagia how thick the food or liquid should be might be a changing thing. I started out making my Husbands liquids like Nectar and we progressed to pudding thick.
You should consult a PT and Speech Therapist for a good evaluation of your mom and education on the reasoning behind the need for thickened liquids.
As for natural water thickeners I don't have experience but have found this old thread:
https://www.agingcare.com/questions/thicken-liquids-with-natual-products-158698.htm
Wishing you and your mom the very best
Are OT, PT and Speech services seeing her at home? Rehab is an important part of recovering from stroke.
I agree with CWillie on the importance of thickening her liquids.