Focus on Geriatric and Adult Services : speech development

The Power of Music

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:47:00 GMT

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. - Victor Hugo Let me preface this week's blog post by stating that I am not a music therapist, and that more information about music therapy can be found here . I do...(read more)

Therapy Tasks Incorporating Puzzles

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:17:00 GMT

Jigsaw puzzles and foam or wooden shape sorting puzzles can target several communication and cognitive goals during therapy. I have found packs of three sturdy twenty-five piece puzzles for under ten dollars at a local grocery store in the educational...(read more)

Patient Input

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:20:00 GMT

Yesterday I evaluated a patient; we'll call him Mr. E. The patient presented with mild cognitive deficits per results of the Brief Cognitive Rating Scale and Global Deterioration Scale, as well as the SLUMS. Mr. E. also exhibited mild oral stage swallow...(read more)

Short-Term Goals

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 13:25:00 GMT

Short-term goals are our steps toward long-term goals and should be seen as milestones that we can use to help the patient to reach along the way to attaining a functional outcome. Therapists identify skills to target as short-term goals that can be learned...(read more)

Singing in the New Year

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:05:00 GMT

I do not make New Year's resolutions, but I do set goals for myself, and one of them is to perpetually look for new ways to treat patients that are fun and creative in nature. On a recent commute to work, I was excited to hear a story on NPR ' s Morning...(read more)

My Memory Week

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:55:00 GMT

I hope everyone has been enjoying a festive holiday season, and because I know we are all so busy with celebrations, family and friends as well as work, I am offering a very brief blog post this week. At recent holiday gatherings, I was asked about my...(read more)

Cognitive-based Swallow Impairments, Part 2

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:18:00 GMT

Last week, I began discussing deficits in memory, orientation, attention, reasoning and problem solving that directly impact a patient's ability to participate in meals safely and efficiently for adequate PO intake. This is the second part of that discussion....(read more)

Working with Patients with Dysphagia During the Holiday Season

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:00:00 GMT

As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, I realize that many families and caregivers, as well as staff, struggle to include the elderly patient with swallowing or cognitive-communication impairments in the holiday celebrations. If Mom or Dad have swallowing...(read more)

Collaborating with the Dietary Department

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:36:00 GMT

A good relationship with the dietary manager can make your life as a SLP so much easier! Throughout my day, I probably have five to ten interactions with dietary staff -- from requesting trial meals for diet texture analysis, to updating diet texture...(read more)

Simple, Inexpensive Communication Therapy Ideas

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:00:00 GMT

How many of you have a budget for therapy and/or diagnostic materials at your workplace? Budgets are always limited, and I tend to request only materials and items that I know are patient-specific (communication books, etc.) to be purchased by the facility....(read more)

Let’s Get Ready for Halloween!

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:04:00 GMT

I still love Halloween, and so many of the adults and seniors I work with do as well. It's fun to feel like a kid again and to celebrate the changing of the seasons. Most Halloween that kids enjoy are also enjoyed by adults and seniors, and the residents...(read more)

Geriatric SLP Resources on the Web and in Social Media

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:22:00 GMT

Information for the SLP treating adults and geriatric patients can be found ever increasingly online. I have been delighted to discover several websites, groups on social media sites, and discussion lists that provide information and support for SLPs...(read more)

Let’s Try Painting!

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:08:00 GMT

Previously, I shared a ideas for speech, language and cognitive activities, and while many were simple and self-explanatory (flower arranging and stuffing "goody bags"), others were more complicated (painting). This week, I want to break down one of the...(read more)

Advice for New Graduates (or Those New to Geriatrics)

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:10:00 GMT

With the end of summer, many new SLPs are leaving their graduate school days and supervised clinical experiences behind them and entering the field as a CFY clinician. In my experience, both in pediatrics and with adults, one of the greatest challenges...(read more)

Are You Bored Yet? Part 2

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:12:00 GMT

Sometimes it truly is better not to reinvent the wheel. Tasks to address language and cognition with geriatric patients can be found in everyday activities, without buying brand-new products or spending hours preparing. Simple, meaningful activities that...(read more)