Talking About Speech Therapy for Seniors

Communication is a universal part of the human experience – an elemental ability that helps us connect with those around us.

Effective communication is more difficult for some of us than others. Injury, disease and the aging process can lessen our ability to converse and understand our loved ones. All Embassy Healthcare locations in Ohio include speech therapy as part of our comprehensive set of services.

For seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or those who have experienced a head injury or stroke, being able to communicate clearly is of the utmost importance. Failure to let family or medical staff know what they are experiencing can quickly elevate a situation into a medical emergency.

At Embassy Healthcare, speech therapy is provided by licensed, certified speech-language pathologists. The goal of these pathologists is to improve communication and speech clarity, working to identify strategies to assist with memory skills. They help individuals organize information to make the decision-making process easier. These pathologists also help those with swallowing disorders, including dietary planning.

Who is a prime candidate for speech therapy? You may consider these services if your loved one is experiencing the following:

• Difficulty responding to questions or asking for needed items
• Trouble swallowing or getting food stuck in their throat
• Show a reluctance to speak when they need something
• Display an inability to handle medical or personal matters

After conducting a speech therapy evaluation, Embassy staff can determine whether the issue is language-based or if it stems from other conditions such as depression, dehydration or side effects of medication. The aging process can hurt one’s ability to speak clearly. Embassy pathologists can help individuals essentially re-learn to speak, working on vocal exercises with them to strengthen their vocal cords and muscles in the larynx.

Speech therapy can be useful for those who have experienced a stroke, which can result in a type of communication impairment known as aphasia. This disorder affects 25% of the 700,000 Americans who have a stroke every year. The sooner speech therapy begins on these patients, the more likely their chance for a full speech recovery.

Speech therapy for stroke patients may include:

• Group therapy sessions and support groups
• Therapy incorporating art projects
• Melodic intonation therapy (patient sings words they have difficulty speaking)
• Visual speech perception therapy (patient learns to associate words with images)

For more information on Embassy Healthcare’s speech therapy services, call 888-975-1379 or contact us online.