The Benefits of Speech-Language Pathology for Seniors
Learn more about how speech-language pathologists specializing in the care of seniors can help with communication skills, cognitive function, and swallowing.
Human beings are social by nature, and communication is essential to who we are. From low-stakes situations like ordering a scoop of our favorite ice cream to more important messages like telling someone we love them or letting a doctor know that we’re experiencing pain, communication plays a role in every interaction we have throughout the day.
Because speech-language pathologists treat the medical conditions that impact the ability to communicate, it’s fair to say that speech-language pathology is central to keeping us happy, healthy, and socially engaged. As we age, speech, language, voice, and swallowing conditions become more common.
What do speech-language pathologists treat?
People often associate speech-language pathologists with stuttering or speech disorders in young children. However, speech-language pathologists also work with adults. As the speech-language pathology team leader at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, I specialize in treating older adults with a range of conditions.
In older adulthood, our ability to speak clearly or to swallow may be affected by a number of factors, including neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or dementia, pulmonary or cardiac conditions, certain kinds of cancer, brain injury, stroke, and even some types of medications.
Some of the most common conditions that older adults see speech-language pathologists for include:
| Health Condition | Overview | Symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aphasia | A language disorder that affects the ability to communicate, including understanding spoken language, speaking, reading, and writing |
| Aphasia treatment may include strategies to improve language skills and assist with communication challenges. A speech-language pathologist can help set appropriate treatment goals and work with family members to support communication. |
| Apraxia | A neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to plan and coordinate the movements needed for speech |
| Apraxia treatment focuses on training the muscles to move correctly to produce intended speech sounds. This often includes strategies to slow speech rate and repetitive exercises to help retrain speech motor patterns. |
| Cognitive Disorders | Disorders that impact cognitive abilities, or thinking, which may occur after a brain injury, stroke, or neurodegenerative disease |
| Treatment for cognitive disorders may include a variety of strategies to support a person’s independence, reduce safety concerns associated with cognitive disorders, and facilitate communication with family members. |
| Dysarthria | A speech disorder that can result from weakened muscles or from the inability to control the muscles used for speaking |
| Dysarthria treatment includes identifying the type of dysarthria someone has and assigning strategies to improve speech clarity and breath control. |
| Dysphagia | A disorder characterized by difficulty swallowing, which involves much of the same anatomy as speech |
| Speech-language pathologists treat dysphagia by evaluating the underlying cause and recommending interventions, such as dietary changes or exercises to strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing. |
Patient-centered treatment goals
The main goal of speech-language pathology is to help the person undergoing therapy reach their maximum rehabilitation potential. Using their clinical expertise, speech-language pathologists create individualized treatment plans with patient-centered goals designed to motivate a patient to accomplish them.
With a patient’s permission, a speech-language pathologist may also work with the medical team, social workers, and family to develop a coordinated, ongoing interdisciplinary plan for their care.
When should you see a speech-language pathologist?
If you or a loved one experiences changes in speech, has difficulty finding the right words, experiences an acute change in memory or thinking skills, or has trouble chewing or swallowing, you should start by making an appointment with your primary care provider. They can help you assess the cause of your symptoms and determine whether a speech-language pathology evaluation is right for you.
Outpatient speech therapy in Boston and Dedham
Hebrew SeniorLife offers outpatient speech-language pathology for older adults at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham. Inpatient long-term chronic care and short-term rehabilitation patients also have access to our speech-language pathology team for treatment.
Contact us online today to inquire about an initial evaluation to determine your candidacy for outpatient treatment. Please note “outpatient speech-language pathology evaluation” and list the specific problem you are concerned about in your message on the form.
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Outpatient Rehabilitative Therapies
At Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and Dedham, MA, we offer adult physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy using state-of-the-art mobility and treatment equipment.
