Speech Therapy
How Speech Therapy Can Help
Speech-language therapy helps older adults improve or maintain their ability to communicate, think, and swallow safely. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) works with people who may have had a stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or other conditions that affect speech, memory, or swallowing. Therapy can focus on helping someone speak more clearly, find the right words, understand conversations, or strengthen memory and thinking skills. It can also help with safe eating and drinking if swallowing has become difficult.
The goal is to support independence, safety, and quality of life.
Swallow Therapy
Coughing while eating or drinking, difficulties swallowing medication and unexplained weight loss are all signs of muscle weakness or discoordination - a condition called dysphagia. This can happen due to aging, stroke, or neurological conditions, and may increase the risk of choking or aspiration (food or liquid going into the airway). The goal of swallow therapy is to improve safety, maintain proper nutrition and hydration, and allow individuals to continue enjoying meals with greater confidence and independence.
Memory care
Occasional forgetfulness is normal, but if you’re noticing more frequent problems—such as leaving the stove on or forgetting important dates or appointments—it may be time to seek help. Talk to your doctor about a speech-language pathology (SLP) evaluation. An SLP can help determine what changes are a normal part of aging and what may need attention, and they can teach practical strategies to strengthen memory and support daily functioning.
Word Finding
Word-finding problems (apraxia of speech) happen when a person knows what they want to say but has trouble remembering or expressing the right word. This can become more common with aging or conditions such as stroke, dementia, or other neurological changes. It may show up as pauses in conversation, using general words like “thing,” or feeling frustrated when speaking and is a specialized treatment area that our speech-language therapists can focus on.
Voice
Dysphonia is a voice disorder that affects the quality, pitch, or loudness of a person’s voice, making it sound hoarse, weak, strained, or breathy. It can occur due to aging, vocal strain, illness, or neurological conditions. Speech-language therapy can help improve voice strength and clarity by teaching exercises and healthy voice habits, helping individuals communicate more comfortably and effectively. Assessment and treatment of voice production is a key component of improving your communication (and your happiness).
Manage everyday tasks
If you’re having difficulty managing your finances, medications, or daily household tasks, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help. They can teach practical strategies and techniques to improve planning, organization, and follow-through, making it easier to handle more complex everyday activities.
Ready to get started?
We understand you have choices when selecting a therapy provider, and we would be honored to be part of your care. Our team is here to listen, learn about your needs, and provide personalized support every step of the way.
Getting started is simple—just give us a call. We’ll take care of the details, including verifying your insurance, coordinating with your physician for any necessary orders, and setting up the therapy services you need.