Speech Therapy

What is Speech-Language Pathology?

Speech-Language Pathologists work with the full range of human communication and its disorders in order to evaluate, diagnose and treat speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly.

What Services Can Our Speech-Language Pathologists Provide Your Facility?

Speech

Many illnesses/diseases can affect a person’s ability to speak, making communication of wants and needs very difficult. Our SLP’s will work with your residents to improve the quality of their speech for enhanced intelligibility and communication.

Receptive Language

Our SLP’s will work with your residents to improve their ability to understand others. This is important for basic communication skills as well as safety.

We can assist with:

  • Auditory Comprehension - ability to understand and comprehend information through listening
  • Following Commands - ability to understand and follow instructions and directions
  • Reading Comprehension - ability to understand and comprehend written information

Expressive Language

A person’s ability to express themselves is vital for communication of wants and needs. When a resident is not able to use speech to communicate, our SLP’s will work with him or her to determine an effective mode of communication, either through writing, gestures, or a communication board.

Cognition

Our SLP’s address all areas of cognition as they impact the resident’s ability to participate in daily activities. Each of the following areas is very important for a safe return to the home environment.

  • Problem Solving
  • Orientation
  • Memory
  • Safety/Judgment
  • Sequencing/Thought Organization
  • Medication Management
  • Money Management

Swallowing

As people age, many illnesses, disorders and diseases can affect their ability to swallow effectively. When a person has difficulty swallowing, he or she is at increased risk of food and/or liquid going into their airway or lungs rather than their stomach (aspiration). Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing or inability to swallow) and aspiration can lead to weight loss, poor nutrition, dehydration, social isolation, aspiration, pneumonia, and even death. Our SLP’s will help residents who have dysphagia by teaching them swallowing strategies plus provide treatment techniques and exercises to reduce the risk of aspiration. Sometimes this may include altering their food and/or liquid consistency/texture to make swallowing easier and safer.