Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know to start your journey with speech therapy.
What is Speech Therapy
Speech therapy improves a patient’s language, communication, and swallowing after an injury or illness, such as aphasia, cognitive-linguistic impairments, and dysphagia. Speech therapists offer a variety of practices to support your unique needs:
- Breathing, hearing, swallowing, and voice exercises
- Differentiating sounds and syllables
- Expanding grammar, vocabulary, and word recall
- Facial movement exercises
- Modifying diets
- Playing memory games like word searches and crossword puzzles
- Reading out loud
- Tongue and mouth exercises
- Using communication boards, computer-assisted speech, hearing aids, and sign language
The Benefits of Speech Therapy
After putting in the time and effort through speech therapy, patients experience a variety of benefits:
- Enhanced vocal quality
- Improved confidence, independence, and advocacy skills
- Improved executive function, including memory, planning, and organizing
- Improved language comprehension and expression
- Improved safety conditions by reducing the risk of choking and strengthening communication skills to express needs
- Improved swallowing and eating
- Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia by engaging the brain
- Stronger social skills
When to Start Speech Therapy
People often start speech therapy after their healthcare provider recommends it for their communication disorder, hearing impairment, or health condition that affects swallowing, such as:
- Aphasia
- Apraxia
- Articulation disorder
- Cognitive-communication disorders
- Dysarthria
- Expressive disorders
- Fluency disorders
- Receptive disorders
- Resonance disorders
Next Steps for Speech Therapy
Patients typically begin their journey with speech therapy by:
- Starting Now: If you feel you are unable to enjoy your lifestyle as independently as possible, that’s the right sign to seek help. Check if your insurance or state requires a referral from a doctor to see a speech therapist.
- Exploring Options: Look at how your Medicare or Medicaid plan supports speech therapy, then find the speech therapist that meets your needs, such as location and specialization.
- Preparing for Day One: Wear comfortable clothing and bring your list of doctors and healthcare providers, medical history, symptoms, glasses or hearing aids, and questions you may have for your first appointment.
- Making Plans: The initial speech therapy sessions involve a comprehensive evaluation and assessment to better understand your unique condition. Then you can work with the speech therapist to create a customized treatment plan that supports your goals and preferences.
Discover your path to wellness through one of six dimensions in the Way of Wellness!
At Life Enriching Communities (LEC), we’re committed to ensuring patrons feel well-equipped to plan their future and age how they wish. Explore more resources on senior living or contact us today to learn more about our legacy of services and programs that bring meaning and purpose to every stage of life.