Archives

How Is Quality of Life Assessed in People with Dementia? A Systematic Literature Review and a Primer for Speech-Language Pathologists (2020)

January 13, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Person-centered care (PCC) is an accepted care guideline that focuses on the whole person’s physical, cognitive, and emotional needs. PCC has four principles to achieve this goal of considering the entire person. The first goal of PCC is to maximize the person’s ability to participate in care decisions and valued activities. The second goal is […]
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Timing of Dysphagia Screening in Alzheimer’s Dementia (2020)

January 13, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Dysphagia is expected in the late and end stages of AD, but it can also happen in the disease’s early stage. During this early stage, the oropharyngeal dysphagia may be subtle and go unnoticed by patients and caregivers. Patients should be screened throughout the AD levels because aspiration, dysphagia, sarcopenia, and polypharmacy can happen during […]
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Structured External Memory Aid Treatment for Mild Cognitive Impairment (2020)

January 13, 2022 by Megan Berg.
This study wanted to build upon previous research on participants with MCI using EMAs. However, many current studies found participants did not maintain using the EMAs 6 months post-intervention. The authors of this study wanted to see if everyday memory tasks would help with participant adherence to the EMAs post-treatment. Six participants met the inclusion […]
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Alzheimer’s Disease and the Eye (2009)

January 13, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Even though speech pathologists do not diagnosis visual changes this is an important area to learn more about. SLPs are considered experts for communication and can advocate for our patients even when they are unable. Being aware of the function and pathological changes to the visual system can help us communicate with other medical professionals […]
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Age-Related Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline — The Potential Mechanisms Linking the Two (2019)

January 13, 2022 by Megan Berg.
The authors of this review article propose four hypotheses to link ARHL with cognitive decline and dementia. Their four hypotheses include 1) cognitive load theory, 2) common cause factor responsible for age-related declines for cognition, 3) cascade hypothesis, 4) overdiagnosis or harbinger hypothesis. The authors also try to answer the question “do hearing aids (or […]
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Working Memory and Executive Function Decline across Normal Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer’s Disease (2015)

January 13, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Working memory “promotes active short-term maintenance of information for later access and manipulation.” It can be broken into auditory and visual working memory. The phonological loop is responsible for auditory working memory and the ability to support language comprehension. The visuospatial sketchpad is responsible for visual working memory and supporting visuospatial reasoning. For adults over […]
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Working Memory and Adaptive Strategies

January 10, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Working memory is an essential part of everyday short term memory. Finding strategies for adapting to the loss of this executive function can mitigate declines associated with early stage dementia and improve independence with completion of everyday skills.
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Tips for Caring for Someone with Dementia

January 10, 2022 by Megan Berg.
This is a handout outlining best practices for caring for someone who has dementia. Includes practical tips and strategies to optimize safety and independence.
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Support Cards for Individuals with Dementia

January 9, 2022 by Megan Berg.
These business-card sized wallet cards provide information about the dementia severity, ways to support communication and daily activities, and important personal information about the person with dementia.
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Seven Stages of Alzheimer’s

January 5, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Alzheimer’s disease has a general progression trajectory but may affect each person uniquely so all the signs/symptoms may not occur. Dr. Barry Reisbery of New York University developed the seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease to allow a better understanding of the illness progression for the person with Alzheimer’s, healthcare providers, and family members. This handout gives examples of each stage and the possible level of assistance needed from family members and/or care partners.
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