We Elaborate On An SLP’s Role In Geriatric Care

By Robby Cox, MA, CCC-SLP

Speech-language pathologist

I have heard it before.

“Speech therapists only work with stroke victims and help people talk.”

“Don’t SLPs only determine if a person can eat or drink?”

“I think SLPs only help people remember things.”

Well, SLPs can do all of the above.

These are typical “only” myths about an SLP’s role when working with geriatrics. It is easy to understand why these myths occur, and we need to educate our colleagues and the general public.

When it comes to rehabilitation, most people know the elements of physical therapy and occupational therapy. They understand what these two rehabilitation therapies can provide. However, when it comes to speech-language pathology, things become foggy. That is why it is our job as SLPs to help educate and inform individuals about the skills and rehabilitation we can provide to those in need, especially geriatrics due to the heavy other areas such as pediatrics.

Yes, it is true that speech-language pathologists can address stroke consequences, eating abilities, and memory. To be more specific, SLPs provide skilled, clinical services to individuals who have suffered from a stroke and exhibit aphasia. SLPs also provide skilled services to those individuals who exhibit dysphagia, thus requiring clinical judgment to determine the least restrictive food and liquid consistencies for adequate nutrition and hydration. And yes, SLPs can also provide skilled services to those individuals who suffer from forgetfulness or memory loss in order to help improve the recall of important information.

However, SLPs can deliver many more skilled services to older adults than the ones discussed above. SLPs primarily address cognition, swallowing, communication, and voice. Within these specialties, SLPs play an important role within geriatrics. SLPs can also help with fall prevention, medication management, pain management, and dehydration prevention.

FALL PREVENTION

SLPs can play a vital role in fall prevention. We assist PTs and OTs with reducing falls. Older adults, especially those with cognitive impairment, are at risk for falls. We assess cognition and can determine the patient’s ability to follow directions, sequence, and recall information. These are important factors to help improve the individual’s ability to ambulate safely and effectively within their environment.

MEDICATION MANAGEMENT

Medication management is an important activity of daily living that always affects older adults. Many have chronic illnesses or conditions requiring prescribed medications from their physicians. SLPs can provide patients (especially those with impaired cognition or memory loss) with skilled assistance to safely consume their medications as prescribed by their doctor.

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Pain is an unfortunate circumstance that can affect all aspects of our well-being. SLPs can be an essential part of an interdisciplinary pain management team. With teamwork and cooperation, the interdisciplinary team can review the medical history and physical exams of individuals in their medical charts. Based on this information, we can help determine if patients are suffering from or susceptible to chronic pain. SLPs are the clinical experts who identify non-verbal communication or non-verbal indicators of pain. We can apply our expertise to those individuals who cannot verbally express their wants and/or needs effectively by communicating their pain to physicians, nurses, or other members of the interdisciplinary team.

DEHYDRATION PREVENTION

Dehydration is a condition that can affect all individuals but can especially impact older adults. Dehydration in older adults can cause confusion, headaches, and dizziness amongst other adverse side effects. The key to dehydration is prevention. This is where SLPs come in. Quite often, dehydration is a result of dysphagia and cognitive communication deficits in older adults. SLPs can put hydration plans in place for individuals at home or put hydration plans in place at senior living communities.

Many individuals are unaware of an SLP’s scope of practice and the clinical disorders we treat. Our job as SLPs is to advocate for our profession and stop the “only” myths about the limited assistance we administer to older adults. That is why SLPs must unite to educate families, medical professionals, and the general population about skilled rehabilitative services we provide.