Focus on Geriatric and Adult Services : therapeutic experiences

Word Searches

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:25:00 GMT

Word searches are a versatile activity for patients of various levels and abilities. I use them almost daily for expressive and receptive language skills, attention, errors awareness, reasoning, following directions, and visual scanning/ tracking. Many...(read more)

COPD and Cognition

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:54:00 GMT

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a prevalent diagnosis in patients admitted to nursing homes. The Global Initiative for COPD , or GOLD, defines COPD as a disease that: is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible;...(read more)

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)

Transitioning to LTC, Part 1

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:40:00 GMT

One of the more difficult experiences a family faces is choosing to place a loved one in a Skilled Nursing Facility for long-term care. SLPs in long-term care meet families almost daily who are experiencing worry, fear, guilt, anxiety, and possibly even...(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)

Catching the Holiday Spirit

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:29:00 GMT

At this time of year, many work settings are caught up in the holiday spirit. I find that many patients welcome the diversion from therapy as usual, and enjoy the excitement that surrounds decorating, celebrating, reminiscing. Facilities might decorate...(read more)

Seasonal Crafts

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:09:00 GMT

Holiday or seasonal craft activities can target many cognitive and language skills, while giving both the SLP and the residents a break from workbook activities, paper and pencil tasks, and lists of questions and directions. I have a favorite coloring...(read more)

Fill-in-the Blank

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:23:00 GMT

Sometimes we just need something fun to do in therapy! I recently brought in a book of Mad Libs (this is not the only product that offers the fill-in-the blank template word game; try Mad:)Takes or Word Libs, both online versions of the game), and I am...(read more)

Dysphagia Carryover

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 12:40:00 GMT

I think every SLP's goal for dysphagia patients is to have them eat and enjoy a "normal" diet. Depending on the etiology of the swallowing dysfunction, and the patient's response to treatment, there are various diet levels and liquid consistencies that...(read more)

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 13:15:00 GMT

This week, I return to my full-time job after a very satisfying and rejuvenating vacation. It always takes a little while to readjust from camping with limited use of technology to resuming my daily duties as an SLP, and I received a message from work...(read more)

Key to Reimbursement

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:58:00 GMT

Both short- and long-term goals may be scrutinized in order to determine whether skilled speech therapy services are medically necessary in the SNF setting, as well as in other settings involving adult and geriatric patients, such as Home Health Care...(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)

Goal Writing 101: Start with a Good Assessment

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:35:00 GMT

A good patient history, family interview, chart review and both subjective and objective measures are the foundation of writing goals. Realistically, not all of these components are going to be present for every patient. Some patients are unable to give...(read more)

BHSM Bulletin Board

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

This week, I'll kick off BHSM by planning and decorating a bulletin board in our facility. This BHSM activity is, admittedly, easy to execute and not at all original. From public schools to clinics and hospitals, I think the majority of SLPs use this...(read more)

Working PRN

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Many therapists find opportunities to work PRN, or "as needed." The abbreviation PRN is derived from the Latin pro re nata and translates as "as circumstances arise." It can refer to many things and is commonly abbreviated in job postings . PRN work is...(read more)