Speech Therapy at ESLC

The Episcopal Church Home has recently added full-time Speech Pathology services as part of our rehabilitation program. Speech therapy is now available five days a week for those who need the skilled services of a Speech Therapist. Who and how can a speech therapist help?

• For individuals with dysphagia (difficulty with swallowing), interventions include strengthening the muscles used in swallowing, oral stimulation and exercise to improve eating and swallowing, diet modifications to prevent aspiration and strategies to help improve the safety of the swallow.
• For individuals with aphasia, a speech therapist will use language stimulation, word finding activities, and socializing activities. A therapist can also provide assistance with both understanding and expressing language using tailored intervention techniques. Therapies can also address reading, writing, and math skills for everyday living.
• For individuals with cognitive difficulties, socialization groups, therapies to enhance memory, problem solving, following sequences/directions, etc. can assist in activities of daily living. These therapies also enhance participation in other therapies during a resident's stay.
• For individuals experiencing speech impairments, a therapist can initiate oral strengthening exercises to regain strength in the tongue, lips, and cheeks. Therapies also include strategies for clearer and more precise speech production.
• For individuals with alternative communication needs, therapists can make recommendations for alternate means of communicating. These methods can range from simple systems to very complex computerized systems.
• For individuals who have sustained any injury to the vocal cords, intervention may include relaxation techniques, specific exercises, auditory feedback for increased awareness, and/or compensatory techniques. voice therapy may also involve exercises to increase volume.

These and related disorders can be the result of a stroke, progressive neurological diseases, head and neck cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, brain injury, or physical impairment.

Kelly Elmore M.S./CCC/SLP is an ASHA certified and licensed Speech Language Pathologist who is providing personalized services to individuals with speech therapy needs. Kelly has more than 17 years of experience in the field.