Those suffering from a neurological condition, such as Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, may experience trouble swallowing. This is called DYSPHAGIA. Dysphagia can have many different causes; however, it’s an issue that needs to be addressed because it can lead to major health problems like dehydration, malnutrition, choking or aspiration pneumonia.
By: Victoria Pavelko, MS CCC SLP
I can’t believe it has been 16 years since I graduated as a Speech Language Pathologist. Sixteen years later…I’m still grateful I chose this career.
A favorite patient, Mary, once said, “I hear ya talkin, but I can’t understand a thing that you’re saying!” Another says, “That’s the first bite of real food I have had in weeks!” And finally, “My husband was able to hear me for the first time without me repeating myself…for the 100th time”.
My patients, young and older, are constant reminders of how grateful I am to help build communication, swallowing, voice, and cognitive skills for the BEST qualify of life possible.
A Brief Peek into the Day of a speech pathologist:
A toddler needs help transitioning from a bottle to a cup and baby food to soft chewables… I am able to assist the parents in teaching their child safe eating and drinking skills to advance their diet and independence with self-feeding.
A preschool child is turning 3 years old and is not yet combining words into phrases…I smile as Mom hears “more milk, Mama” for the first time.
An elementary age child is having difficulty producing the “Tr” and “Ch” sound combinations…after practicing, the boy is proud to share he gave a presentation at school and no one made fun of his speech.
A high schooler is embarrassed to go on college entrance interviews because of his stuttering disorder…we implement strategies for him to use along with stress and anxiety relief techniques and he scores his choice of colleges.
A teacher is thinking about retiring early because she constantly loses her voice at the end of the day…I am able to help control her breath support and teach effective vocal projection techniques.
A car accident victim suffers from a head/neck injury resulting in a tracheostomy...I play an active role in speech and swallow recovery while preventing choking, aspiration pneumonia, and weight loss.
A patient suffering from MS or Parkinson’s disease is experiencing memory loss, brain fog, and reading difficulties … I implement written and environmental strategies for independence with daily life.
A patient in stroke recovery is having slurred speech and trouble keeping liquids out of their lungs…oral motor exercises are provided along with postural changes, and the patient is communicating with loved ones and happily sipping a milkshake.
Life can be unpredictable, but I am grateful to play a role in someone’s communication and eating/drinking skills each day. Cheers to another 16 years in the BEST field ever!
Happy Speech & Hearing Month!
Meditation has been shown to help calm the body and mind. With this calmness, meditation can have profound benefits for your physical, mental, and physiological health. It can even affect your hormone production and lead to better sleep, attention, and digestion. If you are a fan of walking outdoors, consider adding this element of reflection to your routine.
LSVT stands for Lee Silverman Voice Training and is a evidence-based, research supported treatment for clients who have Parkinson’s disease. Speech therapists who undergo the process to be certified to deliver LSVT LOUD therapy have the skills teach clients NOW how to strengthen the head/neck/diaphragmatic musculature which will not only improve vocal loudness and intensity, but have LONG LASTING health benefits LATER.
The home is an important part of an individual's identity, security, and comfort. However, as people age, new challenges arise that make it more difficult to stay safe and independent in their homes. An Occupational therapist(OT) can play an important role in making sure that older adults can age in place safely.
March is National Lymphedema Awareness Month. At Virginian Rehabilitation and Wellness we have a wonderful team of Lymphedema specialists: Shirlea North, PT, DPT, CLT and Heidi Pena, PTA, LMT, CLT
To help increase awareness and understanding about lymphedema management, Heidi has written a great informational blog.
A Review of: Better Than Before: What I learned about breaking and making habits
It’s a new year and most likely you have made a New Year’s Resolution. Did you know that only EIGHT percent of the population keeps their resolutions, and it is estimated that by February over 80% have given up their resolution? This year, instead of a resolution, consider instead making a new HABIT.
The top 7 essential changes people want to make (taken from Better Than Before):
Eat more healthy
Exercise regularly
Save, spend, earn wisely
Rest, relax, enjoy
Accomplish more
Engage more deeply in relationships
In Better Than Before, Gretchen Rubin (author of The Happiness Project) examines habits and how they are formed. The adage that it takes 21 days to form a habit is a myth. Forming a new habit takes work, but unlike resolutions, habits, when properly formed, can last a lifetime.
Gretchen points out that habits have the benefit of relieving us from making decisions and using self-control. A well-set habit actually makes us feel more in control and reduces anxiety. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “When we change our habits, we change our lives.”
Better Than Before digs deep into why “who we are” determines how we form habits. How a person responds to outer and inner expectations determines how they approach forming a habit. Are you an Upholder, a Questioner, an Obliger, or a Rebel? Habit formation is not one size fits all. This book will help you determine which of the four tendencies you possess. Armed with this information, it becomes much easier to be successful in starting a new habit that will stick, because it fits you and your life approach.
The book continues with a toolbox of different strategies for good habit development. How do you determine the best time to start a new habit. How do you use scheduling as a tool to ensure successful habit formation. How accountability can help you keep on track. How do you avoid “tomorrow logic”. How rewards can sabotage your habit formation. What to do about temptations to “cheat”. The benefit of “If Then” strategies to avoid being derailed.
Gretchen wraps up the book with the reminder that we will not be perfect in all our habits. They may not always provide all the benefits we initially expected. We may not end up exactly where we thought we would BUT we will “get to a place that was better than before.”
I encourage you to read or listen to this book. As a PTA, I am always looking for ways to encourage my clients to develop healthy life habits that improve their overall health and keep them moving. I believe Gretchen Ruben’s book, Better Than Before, is helpful for anyone striving to start healthy habits.
Happy 2021! Let us know what new habit you decide to form!
As people move into retirement they can sometimes fall into the trap of thinking “What goals can I have now?” or “I can’t do what I used to do and I too old for goals.”
Goals are important in life. They help define our purpose, provide motivation, and increase engagement. Setting goals is a great way to get the most out of your retirement years.
One great method for developing and setting new goals is to use the SMART method which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound. Developed in the 1980’s to improve businesses management goals and objectives the SMART method has also been successfully utilized to help people set personal goals.
Make your goal:
SPECIFIC - Ask yourself what you want to do or accomplish. Define in a clear and concise way the why and how of your goal. Instead of saying “I want to hike more” say “I will walk one to two miles five days a week so that I can have the endurance to hike with my grandchildren on the weekends.
MEASURABLE - You will not be able to know that you have achieved your goal if there isn’t a measurable outcome. Instead of saying “I want to walk further” spell it out, “In three months I want to be able to walk three miles without being tired.”
ACHIEVABLE - We all know there are some things we could do in our 20s that we can’t do in our 50’s. Make sure the goal is realistic and achievable for you where you are right now. Setting an unachievable goal is a sure-fire way to make sure you give up.
RELEVANT - Select a goal that has meaning to you now. Don’t select a goal you had in your college years but has little meaning or relevance to you in retirement. Ask yourself why you selected your goal of hiking with your grandchildren. Is it because you want a meaningful activity with them and that is the motivation you need to stick with your plan? Tying your goal to the things that have value and meaning to you will move you one step closer to achieving them.
TIME-BOUND - Set a realistic timeframe to complete your goal. Make sure the timeframe reflects all the other criteria listed above. Being reasonable in your expectations by giving yourself a “deadline” helps keep you focused as you work towards your goal.
The last thing to remember about setting goals is…they can be modified. Life changes, we find out that we don’t enjoy something we really thought we would. That’s ok! You have earned the right to change your mind. A reset is always permitted. Define a new goal and more forward!
