Speech Therapy for Seniors
Communication is vital for people across, all ages. However, there is a population that tends to have issues when it comes to communicating clearly with people around them: the elderly.
They, most of the time, live with age-related conditions like dementia, hearing loss, and other lifestyle diseases. With that, there is a need for them to communicate effectively in order to be able to get the assistance they need in managing such conditions.
Great speech plays an essential role in ensuring that the senior has a quality life.
Conditions that may cause inadequacy in the speech of the elderly
Several factors may call for speech therapy for the elderly. They include suffering a stroke, dementia, brain injury, and certain cancers like that of the mouth and the throat.
Such conditions interfere with the senior’s ability to communicate.
How do you know if your loved one needs speech therapy services?
FIND OUT HOW?
For one, if you notice that they are struggling with presenting simple requests to others, then it should be a cause for alarm.
In some cases, the senior may have trouble trying to swallow, and a once talkative person may progressively start becoming reluctant to speak. These are signs that you need to contact a speech-language pathologist.
What are the benefits?
You must be wondering if at all senior speech therapy will be worth the seniors’ time: here are the reasons why you should go for it.
One of the problems that people with impaired speech face is articulation. It can be defined as the distortion of speech through omissions, substitutions, and additions. It is a problem because it interferes with communication.
Speech therapy will help the senior to articulate words better, which will consequently improve his or her communication skills and confidence.
Yes, you heard right: voice therapy for seniors could be the answer to swallowing problems too.
As aforementioned, people with impaired speech tend to have issues with eating too. The condition is also known as dysphagia.
A combination of some of the practices and techniques used in speech therapy will help correct the situation. They include biting techniques, head positioning, swallowing maneuvers, and other exercises that help with the coordination of the mouth.
Seniors with speech problems dread having to talk. This is usually because they have to deal with articulation, aspiration, and the fear of being able to communicate efficiently.
This anxiety makes them reluctant to speak even if there is a dire need to.
Speech therapy will help them talk naturally again, eliminating the pressure of being ridiculed by their peers for their impaired speech. The result is increased confidence and the ability to communicate effectively.
Speech is an essential aspect of life. Everyone needs to be able to express themselves verbally and call for action when there is an emergency.
Several things may happen in the life of the senior that may impair their speech. It does not have to end there. Reaching out to a speech-language pathologist will be the solution.
At Health Guard, we are excited to be your family's partner!
For over 25 years, the Adult Day Program has been rooted in the North Hollywood and os Angeles neighborhood as an experienced Community-Based Adult Services.