Communication is key at any stage of life, but it becomes increasingly important as we age.
Though speech therapy is often associated with helping seniors overcome the aftermath of a stroke or neurological trauma, it has many other helpful applications to help older adults maintain a higher quality of life.
Adult speech therapy can help healthy seniors keep their minds sharp and prevent cognitive decline. In addition, adult speech therapy can help seniors stay social by giving them a way to communicate with others.
Today, we will cover some of the many benefits of adult speech therapy for seniors. If you are looking for speech therapy in the NY Capital Region, please schedule a tour with us today.
How Adult Speech Therapy Can Help Seniors
Being able to speak and communicate is an essential part of life. It’s how we express ourselves, share our thoughts and ideas and make plans with others.
For seniors, finding the right words or getting the message across effectively can be difficult. A speech therapist can help improve you or your loved ones’ communication and problem-solving abilities. Here are some ways adult speech therapy can help seniors:
Improve Communication and Problem Solving Skills
Speech therapists work with seniors to improve their ability to understand language, speak clearly and use words appropriately. If you notice that your loved one has begun using words that don’t make sense or has stopped talking altogether, consult with a speech therapist for help.
In addition to improving verbal communication skills, speech therapists can instruct you or your loved one on using nonverbal cues like gestures or facial expressions when communicating with others who may not understand their speech patterns.
Enhance Memory and Cognitive Function
Enhancing memory and cognitive function is a key goal of adult speech therapy, but it’s also one of the most important ways this specialized service can help seniors. As we age, our brains become less flexible and more susceptible to damage, making it more and more difficult to retain information, learn new things, and stay focused on tasks that require complex thought processes.
Your therapist will work with you or your loved one to improve your memory, attention span, and other aspects of cognition that might have suffered over time by providing exercises designed specifically for your needs. They’ll ensure that you understand how every exercise helps improve your brain function so you can do them yourself at home without any problems.
Reduce Feelings of Social Isolation or Loneliness
The elderly are often prone to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Some seniors may become reclusive, while others feel more comfortable when they’re surrounded by people.
Regardless of the cause, social isolation can lead to depression and other mental health issues. Speech therapy can help you or your loved one make new friends by improving speech and communication skills.
Strengthen and Maintain Relationships with Loved Ones
Speech therapy strengthens relationships between seniors and their loved ones by improving their ability to express themselves clearly and increasing their understanding of what’s happening around them. This means fewer misunderstandings, fewer arguments, and more fun times together as a family.
Promote More Independence
Speech therapy for seniors can help improve one’s ability to communicate with others in their daily lives — at home or in public settings like restaurants or stores. A therapist will work with you or your loved one to build up your skills so you will be better able to communicate and participate in activities without needing extra help from family members or caregivers.
Help Overcome Symptoms of Eating and Swallowing Disorders
One of the biggest problems for seniors is swallowing disorders. Swallowing disorders, or dysphagia, can cause problems with eating, drinking, and breathing. They can also be a sign of something more serious like Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
Some seniors have chronic problems swallowing food and liquids due to illness or injury. Others may have trouble eating because they’ve lost their sense of smell or taste. This can make it difficult to enjoy meals and lead to weight loss or malnutrition.
When someone has trouble swallowing food and liquids, it can cause them to feel frustrated or depressed, and it may even lead them to stop eating altogether.
Speech-language pathologists treat swallowing disorders by working with seniors who have difficulty chewing, drinking, or safely consuming food and liquids. They also treat other speech-related issues, such as stuttering and voice quality problems that make it difficult for someone to communicate clearly.
Learn More About Adult Speech Therapy at Shaker Place
At Shaker Place, we believe in helping seniors find the freedom to live the lives they want. That’s why we offer a wide range of services and amenities that give our residents the tools they need to do just that.
We offer speech therapy for seniors to help them achieve their full potential and reach their speech therapy goals. With our caring and compassionate speech therapists, you can learn how to speak more clearly or effectively, improve your memory, or even overcome speech impediments like stuttering or lisping.
Our professional and courteous staff is always available 24/7 to ensure you’re comfortable throughout your stay at Shaker Place. We also offer various delicious dining options—including eight country kitchens!—so you never have to miss a meal. And if you need short-term or long-term residential care, Shaker Place is here for you too.
To learn more about our services, schedule a tour of our community today!