speech therapy?

allendswell

Hi, All,

We have a speech therapy order from my partner's neurologist. They provided it at my request even though they were not very positive about yet I have read that it can be helpful for people with Alzheimers who are having difficulty speaking. Has anyone had any experience with this and could share? I would appreciate it.

SDianeL

my DH was referred to speech pathologist who evaluated him and determined he would not benefit. She saw him 2x. Also same thing with PT and OT. People with Alzheimer’s usually cannot learn or retain info from therapists. My DH could not learn to use a walker when they took away his cane. Agree with the Neurologist.

allendswell

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/227218#Comment_227218

thanks for sharing your experience.

Despondent

I requested my PCP to put in a referral for a speech therapist. I had requested a particular Home Health Care Provider. I called around and found one that said they had one on staff. It was not at all beneficial. The woman was lovely and thorough. On her visit she checked his swallowing to see if that was impaired. Looking back it wasn't a very technical process. I believe I could have learned it in about 10-30 min. She worked with my husband mostly on memory. She brought a tablet with software that would ask my husband a question about something displayed on the tablet. When he would push a multiple choice answer that was incorrect, he would be instructed to guess again. The therapist was very gentle, kind and respectful to my husband. I was told that speech therapy was like OT which again in hindsight was exactly what it was. My husband has aphasia and became very soft spoken to the point where I no longer understand 90% of what he is trying to tell me. I didn't pay for it. Medicare paid. My husband had some socialization. Maybe this would have been beneficial if started sooner but we have no neurologist in my town in ENC. We do but he does not want to be bothered with Alz.patients. I had to do all my own research to find out any info. So a long answer to say not beneficial. He had limited short term memory.

Laurie1282

A year ago my husband with Alzheimer's and aphasia had a few sessions of speech therapy from a home health care company. She was having him do tasks to improve his attention and following directions instead of working on ways to better communicate. We decided he would not benefit from continued therapy.

A month ago my husband moved to a memory care facility and is being seen by a speech path again. She tries to get him to answer questions and share information verbally. I do think it is more of a social interaction session than to actually improve the aphasia. Medicare pays for this so I don't see any issue in continuing. Don't think I would seek out other speech therapy though when/if this ends.

allendswell

Thanks for the feedback, all. Very helpful. Agree that any social interaction could be the big benefit bottom line.

cdgbdr

My husband received a trial device yesterday to help him identify words. I am a nurse but wouldn't have thought of that. I don't expect miracles but if it helps some, I'll take it. We have good commercial insurance and Medicare so coverage should be fine for the device and I have no copays for therapy. This is one of the reasons I want/need to work.

allendswell

oh interesting! what do they call the trial device? I'd like to research. thank you for sharing!