What You Should Know About In-Home Speech Therapy

Hear from one of our dedicated speech-language pathologists

For older adults, speech therapy is about more than verbal expression alone. From swallowing disorders to cognitive challenges, this wide-ranging intervention can dramatically improve quality of life. At Knute Nelson Home Health Care, these improvements are made possible by dedicated speech-language pathologists (SLPs) like Ashlee Long.

Whether you or your loved one is recovering from a stroke, navigating a progressive disease like Parkinson’s, managing age-related communication difficulties, or beyond, you may have questions. That’s why we have answered some of the most common questions we receive about our in-home speech therapy services below.

What is in-home speech therapy?

Speech therapy is the evaluation and treatment of conditions that disrupt your cognitive, communication, voice, or swallowing abilities. In the words of Ashlee, “each therapy session differs based on the patient’s goals and the area we’re addressing.” As a result, the therapeutic exercises and treatment strategies used can vary greatly from person to person.

How does speech therapy at home work?

Through our home health care services at Knute Nelson, we start by getting to know your unique needs. From there, we can assign an SLP like Ashlee to your dedicated care team. These caring professionals are committed to advancing your progress from the comfort of home.

In Ashlee’s words, “we get to meet you where you’re most comfortable, see how you live and interact with your loved ones, and observe firsthand which areas of your life are most affected by your condition.” These are some of the key benefits of in-home speech therapy for adults. That’s all while ensuring the safety of your home environment to preserve your independence.

Who should consider speech therapy?

Cognitive, communication, and swallowing difficulties have a multitude of possible causes. For some, these issues arise from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or stroke. For others, head or neck cancer treatments can lead to complications. Progressive diseases like ALS, dementia, or Parkinson’s are also associated with these challenges.

According to Ashlee, the ideal candidate for speech therapy is someone who struggles with “thinking, memory, verbal expression, slurred speech, swallowing, or vocal quality.”

How does speech therapy improve quality of life?

Speech therapy brings validation, understanding, and hope to struggling patients. As Ashlee says best, “Speech therapy can help patients get back to eating and effectively communicating so they can express their needs to caregivers.” Through personalized treatment plans and compassionate care, we empower patients to make meaningful steps toward progress.

What do speech-language pathologists do?

From communication strategies to diet modifications and beyond, SLPs work in a hands-on capacity with patients. Their goal is to help individuals express their thoughts or feelings more effectively, recall daily events more clearly, swallow food or pills safely, and much more.

In Ashlee’s experience, “It’s truly rewarding helping someone tell their family they love them or enjoy their favorite dessert without the fear of choking.” Oftentimes, it’s the simplest moments that matter most.

Where can I find speech therapy near me?

As you seek trusted speech therapy services, our Knute Nelson family is here to help. We encourage you to explore our award-winning home health care services today or give us a call at (844) 930-3775 to get in touch. Thank you for reading, and we look forward to serving you.