Speech Therapy Advice for Family Caregivers
If you have a senior parent and you’re researching different kinds of therapy that might be useful to them, you should know about speech therapy. Speech therapy is a gentle therapy that is designed to help seniors maintain their ability to speak clearly and at an appropriate volume.
As seniors get older their throat muscles and other muscles can lose their flexibility. That can make it difficult for seniors to speak loud enough to be heard or to speak clearly. Seniors who have diminished throat muscle capability can also find it difficult to swallow properly and as they get older they may struggle to swallow without choking.
It Can Benefit All Seniors
Seniors don’t need to have a medical condition in order to benefit from speech therapy. All seniors can get some benefit from it because it will help them build up strong throat muscles and retain the flexibility that they have now so that they will be able to speak well and clearly in the future. Don’t wait until your senior parent has a medical condition to get them started in speech therapy. Starting therapy now can help your senior parent avoid problems later on.
Seniors With Parkinson’s Should Start Speech Therapy Now
Parkinson’s disease will impact a senior’s ability to speak and swallow their food and liquids. That’s why seniors who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s haven’t got time to wait. Every day they are already losing a little more of their functionality. Getting your senior parent into speech therapy now can help them hang onto their ability speak for as long as possible. It can also help them maintain the ability to safely swallow liquids without assistance.
It Can Be Done At Home
Unlike some other types of therapy speech therapy doesn’t have to mean a trip to the doctor for your senior parent. Speech therapy can be done at home, which most seniors prefer. Family caregiver also like this option because they don’t have to give up time with their families or take time off of work to get a senior parent to another appointment if they are getting it through a service that offers in-home speech therapy for seniors.
It Could Help Your Senior Parent Eat More
If your senior parent is the type of senior who doesn’t like to eat and they’re not getting enough calories or the right nutrition their throat muscles could be part of the problem. Your senior loved one may be skipping meals because they can’t swallow very well and they’re afraid to eat because they’re afraid that they will choke or aspirate foods or liquids. Speech therapy can improve your senior parent’s ability to swallow so that they can freely eat again. Being able to eat without fear can encourage seniors to eat more healthy food so they can get the nutrition and calories they need.