How speech therapy can help people with degenerative disorders
Sometimes, as a person ages, they can be affected by various disorders that may decrease their quality of life and mental wellbeing. These disorders may include dementia or Alzheimer’s. While often their onset is gradual, they can affect not only the person, but also their family and loved ones. One of the many things affected by these is a person’s ability to communicate clearly and often times they also exhibit difficulties swallowing. At that point, it becomes necessary for a speech pathologist to assist in rehabilitation through the use of speech therapy.
Not only is communication integral to convey what a person may want, or need but basic human communication is imperative to a positive quality of life. It is in our nature to speak with each other and that ability can be taken away when advanced age is coupled with a degenerative disorder.
Through the use of speech and language therapy, it is possible for elderly patients with degenerative disorders to attain a level of communication and speech that can be used to convey their desires. This can help with the simple pleasure of chatting with loved ones. With the aid of a speech therapist, a patient can retrain themselves to follow through with tasks they were once able to perform with ease.
Speech therapy for problems with eating and drinking
Typically, speech therapy is also used to assist in overcoming dysphagia brought on by Alzheimer’s or dementia. Dysphagia is a disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to swallow normally, which impacts much more than quality of life and the ability to communicate. It can become life threatening if not properly treated, causing choking or a direct inability to eat. Through the use of various speech therapies and procedures, rehabilitation can be performed to assist in the retraining of a person’s ability to eat and drink.
Communication and swallowing, two things so important they are almost universally taken for granted, are intrinsically tied to having a well functional life. They can be diminished by advanced age. Through speech and language therapy those difficulties can be faced and overcome. People with disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s can be handled with dignity and have a positive quality of life restored.
If you need speech therapy, contact your local doctor, who will arrange for you to see a speech pathologist. Contact us today!
