• Dysphagia (difficulties in the passage of food, fluid, medications, or saliva from the plate to the stomach) occurs as part of many health conditions.

• Provides evidence-based practice, considering your full medical history to assess and diagnose swallowing function changes.

• Provide an impression and education regarding your swallow changes.

• Provide strategies to help the swallow and food and fluid intake recommendations.

• Other forms of swallow assessment may be required, such as a VFSS (x-ray) or FEES (endoscopy of swallow), which can provide more information.

• Swallow rehabilitation exercises may be beneficial.

• Swallow therapy at the end of life (when there can be an increased risk for chest infections and a focus on eating for pleasure/comfort).

• A  Dietitian may be recommended to optimise your nutrition.

   

Communication is multifaceted.

• It includes speaking, reading, writing, drawing, and non-verbal communication (facial expressions, tone of voice, gestures and body language). Language is all around us to understand and to express our thoughts and speech. Our ability to communicate is essential to our sense of self and personal identity.

• Assessment and identification of the areas of strength and challenge is essential for us to work together to address difficulties in communication to maintain confidence.

• It is essential that family, friends and support workers know how to aid you in getting the best from your communication.

• Provide evidence-based practice, to consider your full medical history with formal and informal assessment to diagnose changes to your communication.

• Formulate evidence-based therapy to address challenging areas of your communication to improve confidence and ability.

• Provide ways to aid or supplement spoken communication.

• To educate family members and support staff to assist your independence in communicating.

• Offer alternatives to enhance your speech or, if necessary, replace it (using low- or high-tech alternative and augmentative communication devices).

• Programs to target voice loudness, resonance, and quality of production once seen by ENT consultant

• Offer an individualised Loud Voice program, which will improve confidence and capability in speaking to be heard. The program includes reconnecting with your diaphragm for deeper breathing and reducing muscle tension if indicated.

• Voice Banking is available for people living with MND. They can record their voice and use it later via a text-to-speech app on a tablet or iPad.

• For individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, Bell’s Palsy and other conditions impacting the motor control of muscles of the face.

• Sensation can return with therapy, depending on the cause of the change and the length of time it has occurred.

• Changes in swallow/eating and drinking occur due to altered sensation and muscle control- therapy focuses on keeping individuals enjoying food and fluids.

• Cognitive and communication assessment to recognise an individual’s strengths and challenges.

• Aids and strategies to encourage the continuation of verbal communication.

• Ways to reduce communication frustration with a person living with dementia.

• Understanding changes in communication and behaviour- understanding thresholds and unmet needs.

• The importance of staying connected.

• Narrative/memory books for new people and for reference for family members.