One of the types of rehabilitation available in many skilled nursing homes is comprehensive speech therapy. It is a collection of exercises and techniques designed to help seniors with acquired speech disorders learn to communicate more effectively. Causes of speech disorders include stroke, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, and degenerative muscular conditions. Although these make communication difficult, speech therapy can help recover lost ability. Below are some of the benefits of this kind of treatment for seniors.

Benefits of Senior Speech Therapy

1. Improved Quality of Life

It can be frustrating or even terrifying to be unable to communicate your thoughts to others. Speech therapy helps people struggling with this problem overcome this disability, at least in part. It enables seniors to take part in conversations, interact with friends, and express satisfaction or—even more importantly—dissatisfaction with circumstances. Quite simply, it enables them to become part of a community instead of remaining isolated from others. This is a profound improvement in their quality of life.

2. Increased Safety

Speech therapy lets seniors express discomfort and concern about their physical well-being. For instance, a sharp pain or peripheral numbness can signify a serious condition, but if a patient is unable to communicate these sensations to a caregiver, the symptoms and underlying problems cannot be diagnosed and treated. Better communications skills result in better medical care and increased safety.

3. Improved Ability to Swallow

Exercises designed to strengthen the jaw muscles, larynx, and vocal cords also help seniors whose ability to swallow has diminished with age. This makes meals much easier to consume and prevents undernourishment. It also significantly lessens the possibility that a patient might choke on food.

To find out more about professional speech therapy for yourself or an aging loved one, contact Atmore Nursing Center in Atmore, AL. They offer rehabilitation and skilled nursing care for seniors who need help recovering from illness. They are part of Crowne Health Care, a family-owned network of trusted nursing homes and assisted living and independent living facilities throughout Alabama. Visit their website to learn more about the company or call (251) 368-9121 to speak with a friendly, knowledgeable representative.