Focus on Geriatric and Adult Services : websites and other resources

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)

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)

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)

Looking Ahead to BHSM

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Better Hearing & Speech Month ( BHSM ) is imminent! What to do? I seem to always rely on my tried and true activities, including making a bulletin board in the building, giving in-services, and splurging on a new SLP t-shirt or two. This year I'd...(read more)

Resources for Swallowing Therapy

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Dysphagia therapy encompasses many treatment options and approaches. There is always considerable debate about the efficacy of one treatment approach or another. This week, as I continue on with my advice for new clinicians in the SNF, I'd like to focus...(read more)

More Therapy Materials for New Clinicians

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:15:00 GMT

I'm still focusing on therapy materials that new clinicians in the SNF or geriatric setting might want to collect. One of the most versatile therapy tools you can use are everyday objects, which work for naming, following directions, describing, attention,...(read more)

Books and Manuals for the New Graduate

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:00:00 GMT

This week I'd like to continue with specific therapy material suggestions for new graduates and the books and manuals that have worked for me, with a focus on cognitive-linguistic resources. Cognitive-linguistic therapy is a very important aspect of our...(read more)

Therapy Materials for the New Clinician

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:30:00 GMT

This week's blog continues with the theme of preparing for life beyond graduate school. I gave some advice to new clinicians who are just entering the field of long-term care (LTC) last week, and back in September I wrote about gathering every day supplies...(read more)

The CFY Experience: A New Grad's Perspective

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:30:00 GMT

This week's post is an interview with Christine Costello about her Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) experiences. Last year I had the privilege of supervising Christine for a few months in the skilled nursing facility (SNF) setting. Although Christine decided...(read more)

Facts About Normal Aging

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:15:00 GMT

Since I've written quite a bit recently about the changes and challenges the elderly face. I wanted to balance that out with some quick facts about aging in general. Although I often work with the frail and dependent geriatric patients, the happy truth...(read more)

Changes in the Elderly: Pain, Temperature and Hunger

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

As we consider sensory changes that occur throughout the aging process, it is important to remember the subtle differences that will manifest and how they might affect a patient's participation in therapy and daily activities, as well as his or her quality...(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)

Repetitive Questioning: Tips for Intervention

Jennifer Kay-Williams — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:18:00 GMT

Repetitive questioning or statements are common and often challenging behaviors seen in adults with cognitive decline and memory loss associated with dementia . A person who has been diagnosed with a disease process resulting in dementia may ask the same...(read more)