Things You Should Know About Speech Therapy For The Elderly

 Being able to communicate at any age is important, but this is most true of the elderly. Situations can easily spiral when older adults are unable to articulate their needs, be it pain or another pressing issue, or even just a simple issue. Speech therapy can be particularly helpful for seniors when recovering from the debilitating consequences of a stroke or dementia, and may as well be necessary after a head injury. The idea of speech therapy often calls to mind images of adults struggling to speak through a stutter, or one probably thinks of school-based specialists helping children with pronunciation of a certain letter or to get rid of a lisp. However, speech therapy is much more than that as already mentioned above.

Speech language pathologists (SLPs) provide speech therapy, which is a process that addresses problems with speaking and swallowing that may occur for any number of reasons, and it can be crucial for seniors’ overall health and ability to communicate. One of the most common reasons older adults lose some of their ability to speak is as a result of a stroke that may damage the part of the brain that controls speech functions. Speech therapy may also be beneficial in situations where you have noticed your loved one is having difficulties responding to or answering questions. Speech language pathologists focus on an individual’s capacity for language, speech, and comprehension, and help patients with communication, cognitive skills, and swallowing. They create a treatment plan in collaboration with other healthcare providers to identify the patient’s issues, to help the person go about their daily routine efficiently.

If your loved one is having difficulty communicating, there are a number of repercussions for ignoring these speech and communication issues. You may need to consider speech therapy services if your loved one has problems responding to questions or requesting items, is having trouble managing their own financial, personal or medical matters, and is not able to avoid injury or potentially dangerous situations. A speech-language pathologist conducts a comprehensive speech therapy evaluation to determine if the problem is language-based or something else, and accordingly devises a plan (unique to each individual) to how best to address it.

Fortunately, speech therapy specialized for older adults is available that offers benefits beyond improved communication, which are as follows:

To help strengthen vocal cords- Vocal cords become less elastic with age and the larynx muscles can become weakened, which can make it difficult for someone to speak or communicate in a regular manner. Though speech therapy does not fix the elasticity of vocal cords, but they provide vocal exercises that can strengthen them and can help seniors to re-learn how to speak.

Treats memory loss and dementia- It can be beneficial for those who are suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia to undergo speech therapy, even if their speaking abilities are normal. Speech therapy can help to keep the brain functions associated with communication intact. In an individual suffering from dementia, speech therapy can help by taking care of the cognitive aspects of communication, such as attention, memory, and problem solving. Therapists can also help family members by teaching them how to improve communication with their senior loved ones struggling with memory loss.

Helps seniors communicate after a stroke- Doctors recommend speech therapy to patients right away following a stroke, since stroke often impairs a person’s ability to communicate. One in four stroke survivors experience aphasia- a communication disorder that makes it difficult for someone to communicate. This is where speech therapy can help, which makes it possible to recover speech provided the treatment starts right away. Immediate treatment in the form of speech therapy after a stroke increases the chances of full recovery.

Communication is indispensable. Difficulty communicating increases the chance for someone to become isolated and increases the person’s susceptibility to health issues. Speech issues need to be addressed and treated right away for improved quality of life.

If you notice that your older adult is having difficulty speaking or communicating, it may be time to consider speech therapy, which not only can improve their speech and clarity, but can also help to improve cognitive language skills and memory. Make sure to consult your health care provider to learn more about speech therapy for the elderly, who can refer patients to SLPs and work together providing the best possible care for the patient. If your loved one is in need of Anthem assisted living care and support, book a suite at the award-winning Anthem Senior Living in Phoenix, AZ.