Has anyone had experience with speech therapy for cognitive impairment/Alzheimer's?

MP8

My mother's AL has recommended speech therapy for cognitive impairment. I think she is currently at Stage 4/early Stage 5. She manages all ADLs but not IADLs (using Tam Cummings' checklist). My family has noticed increasing deficits in memory recently including short-term and also some confusion at times on past events from her/our lives.

My question is: Have your LOs had speech therapy at a similar stage, and was it helpful? My mother's insurance does not require physician referral for speech therapy, so I'm basing only on what the AL has recommended. I'll mention this when my mother goes to the geriatrician next week but am hoping for some context, questions to ask, etc.

Thank you for any insights - and for being such a supportive community.

mommyandme (m&m)

My mother had some OT and speech therapy at that stage. I’m not sure what, if anything, it helped. It did bring other faces into her space and gave her something more to do which isn’t a bad thing. She always enjoyed visitors. Also, more eyes on the patient can be helpful. We stopped all therapies, PT (which was in an office), OT and ST late stage 5, they became futile. It can’t hurt unless theirs a big expense or hassle, not sure how much it’ll help, but maybe.

just my opinion.

jfkoc

While it likely will not help her speech I agree it may benefit her socially and as an activity.

LaurenB

Geriatric SLP here! We can help with strategies for early stage PWD to use and for strategies for caregivers in the later stages for cognition and memory). We help improved communication (aphasia) between PWD and their caregivers through training the caregivers. We also he’ll in later stages with a wall and chewing disorders (dysphagia).

M1

We've seen this recommended before Lauren. May not be much proven upside, but I don't see much downside either. My partner is currently getting physical therapy, and given that she can't remember anything from session to session, I'd be hard pressed to say that it helps, but it has given me a good excuse to tell her why she's in Memory Care.

Iris L.

If she cannot do IADLs, I believe that she is past the point of cognitive therapy, which falls under the jurisdiction of speech therapy. You will need to learn caregiving approaches. Learn from the members here and alz.org. Read The 36 Hour Day and other reading material, also Teepa Snow videos.

Iris

Iris L.

Welcome, Lauren. I have not seen your posts before. I appreciate what you wrote. I had three months of cognitive rehabilitation therapy but I really cannot say that there was any usefulness. I have a dx of cognitive impairment nos.

Iris

MP8

Thank you for the replies! It's so helpful to read others' experiences and perspectives.

Yes, I can see how additional interaction may be beneficial in and of itself, in addition to potential benefits from the actual therapy.

I think we will continue with it through August and reevaluate then.