In the Heritage Health family, we take specialized care of each of our residents’ needs. We proudly offer effective speech therapy programs that assist seniors with speech and swallowing challenges that stem from illness or age.
Speech therapy offers great benefits for seniors who have had cardiac episodes like strokes or nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and cerebral palsy. Seniors with esophageal problems may also find value in speech therapy. These problems can include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), head or spinal cord injury, or cancer of the head, neck, or throat.
Speech therapy is often helpful to seniors who suffer from dysphagia, a swallowing disorder, which makes swallowing difficult and sometimes painful. Those who suffer from this may have trouble with liquids, foods, or saliva, or may be completely unable to swallow. It can be challenging for seniors with dysphagia to take in enough calories and fluids to nourish the body, resulting in weight loss and a failure to thrive.
Skilled speech therapists specialize in supporting senior’s unique and essential medical needs. They may customize a program that includes individual muscle exercises or head postures. Often new diets are designed, and new methods of safe swallowing are learned. We also offer VitalStim® Therapy, a safe, non-invasive treatment using electrical stimulation alongside exercises to strengthen muscles and rehabilitate swallowing.
Many times, following a medical event like a stroke, physical changes cause the need for all therapy disciplines to work together for ideal recovery. Frequently, our speech therapists work closely with physical and occupational therapy professionals to ensure that all aspects of physical rehabilitation are successfully addressed.
Each senior’s therapeutic goals will differ. Many are on a rehab-to-home program; others may need to get to the highest level of functioning possible. As each resident works through challenges, the Heritage skilled staff is on-site to assist seniors in all aspects of health and wellness.