When Changes in Speech, Memory or Swallowing Deserve a Closer Look

By Diane Sportsman and Jessica Elliott, Speech-Language Pathologists, Pershing Health System

We all expect some changes as we get older. It might take a little longer to remember a name, find the right word or process information. An occasional forgotten word may not seem unusual.

But what about frequently struggling to get your thoughts out? A voice that has become noticeably softer? Difficulty following conversations? Changes in memory that are beginning to interfere with everyday activities? Or coughing and choking more often during meals?

Those changes aren’t always something you should simply chalk up to getting older.

As speech-language pathologists, we want people to understand that Speech Therapy encompasses much more than helping someone speak clearly. We evaluate and treat difficulties involving speech, language, communication, cognition, voice and swallowing, all areas that can have a significant impact on a person’s safety, independence and quality of life.

At Pershing Health System, we provide Speech Therapy services for people across the lifespan, from children to older adults. We work with patients experiencing a variety of conditions and concerns, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, autism, developmental disabilities, speech and language disorders and delays, articulation difficulties, swallowing problems and communication difficulties related to neurological conditions.

When Is a Change More Than Normal Aging?

Some changes can occur as we get older. Occasionally forgetting a name or needing a little more time to process information may be part of normal aging.

The important thing is to pay attention when there is a noticeable change, a problem is getting worse or it begins interfering with everyday life.

Changes that may deserve a closer look include:

• Increasing difficulty finding words or getting thoughts out clearly
• Speech becoming softer, slurred, slower or less clear
• Frequently repeating yourself or having trouble following conversations
• Difficulty understanding what others are saying, particularly as conversations become more complex
• Changes in memory, attention or problem-solving that interfere with everyday activities
• Coughing or choking while eating or drinking
• Feeling as though food is getting stuck or taking much longer to finish meals
• Unexplained weight loss or avoiding certain foods because they are difficult to swallow
• A persistent change in voice, such as hoarseness, breathiness or reduced volume
• Difficulty communicating following a stroke, brain injury or neurological diagnosis
• Changes in communication that begin affecting relationships, work or independence.

If you recognize some of these changes in yourself or someone you love, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is seriously wrong. But it may mean the change is worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

Speech Therapy Can Help With Thinking and Memory, Too

One of the things that surprises many people is that speech-language pathologists can also help with cognitive communication.

This can include difficulties with memory, attention, problem-solving and executive functioning skills.

These skills are important in everyday life. Think about everything involved in following a conversation, remembering instructions, organizing your day, solving a problem or completing a familiar task. When cognitive or communication changes begin making those activities more difficult, they can affect a person’s independence and quality of life.

Speech-language pathologists also work with people who know what they want to say but have difficulty finding the right words, forming sentences or understanding language. These difficulties can occur following a stroke, brain injury or neurological condition.

Don’t Overlook Changes in Swallowing

Another part of our work that people may not associate with Speech Therapy is swallowing.

Coughing or choking while eating or drinking shouldn’t automatically be dismissed as something that happens with age.

Other warning signs can include a wet-sounding voice after eating, food feeling stuck, taking much longer to finish meals, avoiding certain foods because they are difficult to swallow or experiencing unexplained weight loss. Pasted markdown Pasted markdown

Swallowing difficulties, also known as dysphagia, can affect both health and safety. They can result in choking, aspiration pneumonia and decreased quality of life.

If you notice persistent changes in the way you or a loved one eats or drinks, it’s important to bring them to the attention of a healthcare provider rather than assuming they are simply part of aging.

Changes in Your Voice Can Matter, Too

A person’s voice can provide another clue that something has changed.

A persistent change such as hoarseness, breathiness or reduced volume may warrant further evaluation. A noticeably weaker or softer voice can also occur with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

Family members may sometimes notice these changes before the person experiencing them does. If you find yourself frequently asking a loved one to speak louder or repeat what they have said, or if their speech has become less clear, it may be worth mentioning to their healthcare provider.

 

Speech Therapy Isn’t Just for Older Adults

Although many of these concerns become more common as we age, Speech Therapy isn’t only for older adults.

At PHS, we can also work with children who have speech and language disorders or delays, articulation difficulties, autism, apraxia of speech, Down syndrome and other developmental concerns.

Parents may want to talk with their child’s healthcare provider if they notice delayed speech or language milestones, difficulty with social communication, stuttering, or challenges with early literacy and learning.

For children, Speech Therapy can support communication, development, social interactions and success in school. For adults, therapy can help improve or maintain communication, safety, participation in daily activities and independence.

When Should You Ask for Help?

Perhaps the most important message we can share is this: don’t automatically assume a change is simply something you or your loved one has to live with.

If you’ve noticed changes in someone’s speech, voice, swallowing, memory or thinking, a speech-language pathologist can evaluate those changes and help determine whether they are affecting communication, safety, independence or quality of life.

Speech Therapy may help someone improve or maintain the ability to communicate, understand information, think through everyday tasks, speak more clearly, use their voice effectively and swallow safely. Even when therapy cannot completely reverse a condition, we may be able to provide strategies, exercises and recommendations that help the person function as safely and independently as possible.

Speech Therapy Close to Home

Pershing Health System is gradually expanding Speech Therapy availability, with plans to eventually offer services five days a week. Services are available for hospitalized patients, outpatients and patients receiving care through the PHS Swing Bed Program. We also work closely with Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, nursing, physicians and other members of the patient’s care team.

A physician or other healthcare provider referral is required for Speech Therapy services at PHS. Once we receive the referral, our Speech Therapy department will contact the patient to schedule services.

If you’re unsure whether Speech Therapy may be appropriate for you or someone you love, start by talking with your healthcare provider.

For more information about Speech Therapy services at Pershing Health System, call 660-258-1192.