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In homecare,
providers often overlook the value and importance of speech therapy. For
example, patients with neurological diagnoses such as Alzheimer’s disease,
Multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease can benefit greatly from speech therapy.
Speech therapists can:
- Evaluate
swallowing, speech, and cognitive function
- Assess
and establish memory programs
- Educate
the patient and caregiver on safety precautions, prevention of swallowing
dysfunction, articulation proficiency, and alternative and effective
communication programs
Speech therapy’s interventions can
help prevent swallowing dysfunction, reduce the risk of aspiration, aide in
achieving optimum swallowing skills, and enable the patient to express his/her
needs. Finally, the speech therapist can collaborate with occupational therapy,
physical therapy, and nursing to holistically meet the patient’s needs and
obtain the best clinical outcomes.
Don’t overlook the importance
of this member of the homecare team and the value they bring to the delivery of
patient care.
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