The Link Between Speech Therapy & Dementia

Was your loved one referred to see a speech therapist following a dementia diagnosis, but you’re unsure why? Did your loved one’s physician recommend “cognitive remediation therapy,” but you’re lost on what that means? Have you noticed a change in their ability to communicate, remember things, or function as they once used to? Many caregivers often find themselves in a rut, unable to help their loved ones, despite countless efforts to encourage and assist dementia patients in remembering facts, people or important actions to maintain their safety. 

What is Dementia?

While dementia is not considered a disease in and of itself, it is considered a syndrome, showing as a compilation of cognitive and behavioral symptoms caused by an underlying disease. Most commonly, dementia is caused by a progressive neurological disorder known as Alzheimer’s disease. Other etiologies for dementia include various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, primary progressive aphasia, Lewy Body disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and vascular diseases, such as a stroke, infections, or traumatic brain injury.

Why Refer to Speech Therapy?

When caregivers start to notice a decline in cognitive and communicative functioning, a referral to a speech-language pathologist can help for further assessment, and implementation of an effective cognitive-communicative treatment plan. There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to treatment, however SLPs can design and promote interventions that maximize the patient’s functioning and quality of life. When provided with the proper training, caregivers can promote functional behaviors related to memory, communication, activities of daily living, and eating and swallowing.

SLP Treatments for Dementia

1. Environmental Modifications

SLPs can assess the home environment to provide modifications as needed. Modifications may include adding brightly colored tape to important safety items (such as a call button, walker handles, wheelchair brakes, etc.), leaving needed items within arms reach, using adequate lighting during day and night time (adding nightlights throughout the day), decluttering the environment with the use of bins and easy to read bold labels.

2. Cognitive Aids

SLPs can assist with the development and implementation of personalized communication aids. These aids may include memory books, stations, wallets, signs, or visual sequencing aids. SLPs may also help incorporate customized checklists, simplified calendars, notes, a whiteboard, or a daily schedule to help your loved one be as independent as possible.

3. Communication Skills Training

SLPs can help improve a patient's engagement and attention in conversation through skilled communication training, where a set of strategies are trained and implemented to facilitate effective communication between the patient and caregiver(s).

4. Memory Skills Training

Caregivers can be trained on specific training procedures to teach their loved ones how to learn new information or relearn forgotten information. This may include training individuals to remember new information, such as using their walker or referencing their memory book if they don’t know where they are.

5. Instruction Techniques

SLPs can train caregivers on specific cues to elicit desired behaviors, minimize the chance of a patient making an error(s), and improve a patient’s ability to complete an activity. SLPs are trained to provide assistance in determining the amount or types of cues needed and finding stimuli or strategies that help compensate for the impairments.

Speech-language pathologists are trained to maximize a person’s independence by helping to slow a person’s decline and encourage fulfillment to promote a satisfying life. Ask your doctor about a referral for a local speech pathologist or an agency that may provide services through your loved one’s insurance! If you live in the Buffalo area, our practice, Neuro Speech Solutions would be happy to help!

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Neuro Speech Solutions is the only speech therapy private practice in Buffalo, NY that specializes in adult neurological rehabilitation. Our specialty is in brain injury, including stroke, TBI, and concussions, as well as neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. All of our SLPs are dedicated to providing evidence-based aphasia therapy and cognitive therapy that will help you target the impairments you may be experiencing in a way that fits with your daily life. If you are searching for an SLP, give us a call and see what makes our clinic different than the rest!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Annie Rabe, MS, CCC-SLP

Annie is a speech-language pathologist with experience in many settings. From acute care to home care, she has helped her patients get back to the activities they love doing. She believes that developing a strong relationship with her clients and their family is the foundation for successful therapy.

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