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speech therapy
opening the door to better communication, swallowing, &
cognitive functions
While
speech-language pathologists are best known for their
work with children, their expertise can help adults
preserve their quality of life. The effects of aging,
disease, or surgery can cause muscle or neurological
weakness that can hamper your ability to communicate,
think clearly, or swallow.
Through assessment, treatment and education, Rome
Memorial Hospital’s experienced speech-language
pathologists can help you or a loved one open the door
to better speech, cognitive and swallowing functions.
speech & voice
Clear
speech requires the coordination of the lips, tongue,
voice box, and lungs. If any of these structures are
weakened, your speech may become difficult to
understand.
For
example, if the tongue, lips, or voice box are weakened
by a stroke, there’s a decline in articulation and
speech will sound slurred. Decline in the ability to
communicate normally can also occur with changes in
vocal quality, such as hoarseness, decreased volume,
pitch changes, and loss of voice.
Speech-language pathologists work with you to
understand, compensate for and improve your speech
and/or voice to enhance your ability to communicate.
cognition & communication
A
decline in the ability to process information can also
make it difficult for you to express yourself, be
understood and understand others. Cognition refers to
the way we think, how we learn, and how we remember.
Dementia, stroke, and other illnesses can impact
important cognitive skills, such as concentration,
memory, language, problem-solving, and reasoning. A
decline in cognitive skills can limit or prevent
effective communication.
Some
common signs that there’s been a decline in the ability
to communicate include:
o
Difficulty with word recall
o
Substitution of words, sometimes with non-words
o
Difficulty understanding & following instructions
o
Increased repetition of words
o
Confusion
Speech-language pathologists help you strengthen your
cognitive skills, while providing adaptive tools to
break through the communication barriers and reduce
frustration.
swallowing problems
Swallowing is one of those things that we take for
granted until there’s a problem. Aging, stroke, brain
injury, surgery, neurological disease, or injury to the
throat can weaken the structures that allow us to
swallow effectively.
Some
of the signs that may indicate a swallowing disorder
include:
o
coughing or throat clearing while eating or drinking
o
runny nose, sneezing, & watery eyes
o
excess secretions in the mouth
o
chest congestion
Videofluorscopy swallow studies, conducted in the
hospital’s Medical Imaging Department, provide
diagnostic information to help assess swallow function.
Speech-language pathologists provide assessments,
therapy and recommendations for diet/liquid consistency
changes, swallow precautions, exercise programs and
education to prevent aspiration, dehydration, and weight
loss.
contact us
Rome Memorial Hospital’s speech-language pathologists
are integrated members of our healthcare team. Their
expertise is available for hospitalized patients in our
acute care units, residents of the skilled nursing
facility, as well as adults who need outpatient speech
therapy services.
Many insurance plans cover speech therapy services with
a physician’s referral. Preauthorization may be
required by your insurance plan.
For
more information, please
call 338 - 7154. Appointments for outpatient
videofluoroscopy swallow studies may be made by calling
our scheduling office at 338 - 7338.
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