he Voice of Life in the Silence of Alzheimer’s: What is the Role of Speech Therapy
The Voice of Life in the Silence of Alzheimer's: What is the Role of Speech Therapy?
A faculty member of the university, coinciding with World Alzheimer's Day, emphasized that this disease, beyond mere forgetfulness, gradually challenges a person's connection with the surrounding world, and stated: The professional management of communication skills and the securing of the swallowing process play a key role in maintaining human dignity and the quality of life for those suffering from this progressive disease.
According to the university's web report, Dr. Zahra Ghoreishi, a faculty member of the Speech Therapy Department at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, noted the progressive nature of this disease on September 21 (World Alzheimer's Day), stating: Alzheimer's is not simply a memory disorder; rather, it targets the central nervous system and gradually overshadows the individual's thinking, problem-solving, speech comprehension, and communication skills.
Beyond Forgetfulness: Maintaining Connection with the Surrounding World
This faculty member added: As the disease progresses, the individual faces serious challenges in finding words and expressing needs. In this path, speech therapy designs a customized program based on a precise assessment of cognitive-communication skills relative to the stage of the disease. The goal of these interventions is not necessarily the restoration of lost abilities, but rather the strengthening of remaining communication, reducing communication failures, and e
Ghoreishi clarified: The use of visual cues and teaching communication strategies to families is a solution that can preserve the affected person's communication loop with their surrounding world as much as possible.
Swallowing Disorders: A Silent Danger in Advanced Stages
Stating that the role of a speech therapist goes beyond speech, Dr. Ghoreishi referred to the challenge of dysphagia (swallowing disorder) in the advanced stages of the disease and said: Swallowing disorders carry a serious risk of choking and the onset of aspiration pneumonia. Precise assessment and providing therapeutic solutions to secure the feeding process are vital parts of specialized speech therapy interventions to improve the physical health of these patients.
The Necessity of a Person-Centered Approach in Care
Emphasizing the importance of training caregivers and families, this specialist added: The correct way of verbal interaction, managing the communication environment, and attending to non-verbal cues have a significant impact on reducing stress and improving the patient's quality of life.
She concluded by noting: Although speech therapy cannot stop the course of Alzheimer's disease, through early intervention and a person-centered approach, the patient's social participation and independence can be maintained to the greatest extent possible. On this global day, it is appropriate to see Alzheimer's as more than just forgetfulness and to prioritize the patient's fundamental need to be understood and to have safe feeding in support programs.
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