Communication Disorders in Aging

Spring, 2007

KEANUNIVERSITY

Union, New Jersey

COMMUNICATION DISORDERS IN AGING

Course Number: CDD 5273

Semester Hours:1.5

Pre-requisites:Permission of Program Coordinator

Limitation on Enrollment:25

Required or Elective:Elective

Course Description:

Physiological, psychological and sociological effects of aging on communication; assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and advocacy roles of professionals working in geriatric settings are explored.

N.B.In order to ensure full class participation, any student with a disabling condition requiring special accommodations (e.g. tape recorders, special adaptive equipment, special not-taking or test-taking procedures) will be strongly encouraged to contact the professor at the beginning of the course. For the student’s convenience, the professor’s office hours, telephone number, and e-mail address will be listed on the syllabus.

KEANUNIVERSITY

Union, New Jersey

COMMUNICATION DISORDERS IN AGING

1. Course Objectives

Students will become informed and understanding professionals able to evaluate and treat communication problems associated with aging, and advocate on behalf of elderly communication-impaired persons. The student will:

1. demonstrate knowledge of communication patterns associated with physiological, psychological and sociological aspects of aging. (K)

1. comprehend the implications of specific communication problems associated with aging. (K,D)

1. select, administer, and interpret appropriate assessments of communication-impaired elderly persons using current tools in the field. (K,S)

1. design effective communication intervention programs for elderly persons in a variety of settings employing inter-disciplinary approaches. (K,S,D)

1. describe and categorize current systems for service delivery of communication assessment and intervention for the elderly and devise methods for “working within” as well as advocating for changes in the systems. (K,S,D)

1. Course Content

1. Communication patterns associated with physiological, psychological and sociological aspects of aging. (K)

1. Physical aspects of aging: “healthy” aging, common illnesses associated with old age;
2. Mental status and aging; cognition, affect, adjustment;
3. Social aspects of aging in a diverse society.

1. Communication problems associated with aging. (K, D)

1. Communication breakdowns due to normal aging, “communication-impaired environments”, communication problems of caregivers;
2. Hearing and aging;
3. Age-related changes in speech and voice;
4. Aging and swallowing;
5. The effects of Alzheimer Disease and other dementias on communication;
6. Other language and communication problems associated with aging.

C. Assessment of communication-impaired elderly persons; (K, S)

1. Standardized tests of communicative abilities in adults
2. Functional communication assessments and outcomes
3. Evaluation of caregivers and communication partners
4. Evaluation of communication environments

1. Intervention approaches: A continuum of care settings and service delivery models. (K, S, D)

1. Overview of care settings and service delivery models;
2. Communication intervention family caregivers and professional health care providers
3. Innovative communication programming in various long-term care settings

1. Programs to train volunteers and partners
2. Environmental modification programs
3. Programs to create functional communication communities

1. Specific treatments for common communication disabilities

1. managing hearing loss
2. Preventing assessing, and treat dysphagia
3. Functional treatment for common speech and language disorders
4. Augmentative and alternative communication for the elderly
5. Interdisciplinary approaches to treatment and the role of the speech-language pathologist

1. Service delivery of communication assessment and intervention for older adults:

(K, S, D)

Financing and promoting communication health for the elderly

1. Medicare, medicaid and the realities of the marketplace
2. Functional treatment for common speech and language disorders
3. Innovative community-based approaches
4. The politics of caring for the elderly.

1. Methods of Instruction

1. Lecture
2. Videotape presentations
3. Guest speakers from related professional disciplines
4. Site visits to nursing homes and other community facilities
5. Case studies
6. Small group problem solving

1. Methods of Evaluation

1. Examinations (K)
2. Observation reports (K,D)
3. Small group projects (K,D)
4. Case presentations (K,S,D)

1. Suggested Texts

Worrall, L. & Hickson, L. (2003). Communication disability in aging: From prevention to intervention.San Diego, CA: Singular Publications.

Shadden, B., & Toner, MA. Eds. (1997). Aging and Communication: For clinicians by clinicians. Austin, TX: Pro-ed.

1. Bibliography

Books/Texts

Camp, C.J. (2006). Spaced retrieval: A model for dissemination of a cognitive intervention for persons with dementia. In D.K. Attix & K.S. Welsh-Bohmer (Eds.) Geriatric neuropsychology: assessment and intervention (pp. 275-292). New York: Guilford Press

Chapey, R. (2001) Language Intervention strategies in aphasia and related neurogenic communiation disorders. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Frattali, C. and Lubinski, R. (2000). Professional issues in speech-language pathology and audiology, second edition. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Learning.

Santo Pietro, M.J. and Ostuni, E. (2002).Successful communication with persons with Alzheimer's disease: An in-service manual. St. Louis, MO: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Thompson, C. K., & Johnson, N. (2006). Language interventions in dementia. In D.K. Attix & K.A. Welsh-Bohmer (Eds.), Geriatric neuropsychology: Assessment and intervention ( 315-332). New York: Guilford Press.

Weinstein, B. (2000). Geriatric audiology. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers.

Seminal Books

Atchley, R. (1994). Social forces and aging: An introduction to social gerontology. (7th ed.) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Elman, R. (1999). Group treatment of neurogenic communication disorders: The expert clinician’s approach. St. Louis: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Frattali, C., Thompson, C., Holland, A., Wohl, C., & Ferketic, M. (1995). Functional assessment of communication skills for adults. Rockville, MD: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Huntley, R., & Helfer, K. (1996). Communication in later life. Boston, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Lubinski, R. (1997). Dementia and communication. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group.

Lubinski, R., & Higginbotham, D. (1997). Communication technologies for the elderly: vision, hearing, and speech. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Learning.

Maxim, J., & Bryan, D. (1994). Language of the elderly: A clinical perspective. London, England: Whurr.

Santo Pietro, M.J. & Boczko, F. (1997). The Breakfast Club: Program training guide.

Vero Beach, FL: The Speech Bin.

Santo Pietro, M.J. & Goldfarb, R. (1995). TARGET: Techniques in aphasia rehabilitation, generating effective treatment. Vero Beach, FL: The Speech Bin.

Ulatowska, H., & Chapman, S. (1991). Neurolinguistics and aging. In D. Ripich, (ed.) Handbook of geriatric communication disorders. Austin, TX: Pro-ed., 21-37.

Periodicals

Bayles, K. (2003). Effects of working memory deficits on the communicative functioning of Alzheimer’s dementia patients. Journal of Communication Disorders.36, 209-220.

Bayles, K., Kim, E., (2003). Improving the functioning of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease: emergence of behavioral interventions. Journal of Communication Disorders. 36, 327-344.

Bellis, T., & Wilber, L. (2001). Effects of aging and gender on interhemispheric function. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 44, 246-261.

Brush, J., Threats, T., & Calkins, M. (2003). Influences on perceived function of a nursing home resident. Journal of Communication Disorders. 36, 379-393.

Chapman, S.B., Weiner, M.F., Rackley, A., Hynan, L.S., & Zientz, J. (2004). Effects of cognitive-communication stimulation for Alzheimer’s disease patients treated with Donepezil. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 47, 1149-1163.

Desjardins, J. Doherty, K. (2009).Do Experienced Hearing Aid Users Know How to Use Their Hearing Aids Correctly?American Journal of Audiology, 18: 69 - 76.

Frisina, R. (2001). Possible neurochemical and neuroanatomical bases of age-related hearing loss-presbycusis. Seminars in Hearing, 22,213-226.

Garrard, P., Lambon Ralph, M.A., Patterson, K., Pratt, K.H. & Hodges, J.R. (2005) Semantic feature knowledge and picture naming in dementia of Alzheimer’s type: A new approach,. Brain and Language, 93, 79-94.

Garstecki, D. (1996). Older adult hearing handicap and hearing aid management. American Journal of Audiology, 5, 25-34.

Gleeson, D. (1999). Oropharyngeal swallowing and aging: a review. Journal of Communication Disorders. 32, 373-395.

Groves-Wright, K., Neils-Strunjas, J., Burnett, & R., O’Neill, M. (2004). A comparison of verbal and written language in Alzheimer’s disease, Journal of Communication Disorders.37, 109-130.

Hopper, T. (2001). Indirect interventions to facilitate communication in Alzheimer’s disease. Seminars in Speech and Language.22, 305-315.

Hopper, T., Bayles, K., & Kim, E. (2001). Retained neuropsychological abilities of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Seminars in Speech and Language. 22, I261-273.

Hopper, T. (2003). “They’re just going to get worse anyway”: Perspectives on rehabilitation for nursing home residents with dementia. Journal of Communication Disorders. 36, I345-359.

Logemann, J., Gensler, G., Robbins, J., Lindblad, A., Brandt, D., Hind, J., Kosek, S., Dikeman, K., Kazandjian, M., Gramigna, G., Lundy, D., McGarvey-Toler, S. & Miller Gardner, P. (2008) A Randomized Study of Three Interventions for Aspiration of Thin Liquids in Patients With Dementia or Parkinson's Disease, Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research, 51: 173-183.

Mahendra, N., & Arkin, S. (2003). Effects of four years of exercise, language, and social interventions on Alzheimer discourse. Journal of Communication Disorders. 36, I395-1422.

McNamara, P., & Durso, R.(2003). Pragmatic communication skills in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Brain and Language, 84,414-423.

Murray, L., Dickerson, S., Lichtenberger, B., & Cox, C. (2003). Effects of toy stimulation on the cognitive, communicative, and emotional functioning of adults in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Communication Disorders. 36, 101-127

Orange, J., Ryan, E., Meredith, S., & MacLean, M. (1995). Application of the Communication Enhancement Model for long-term care residents with Alzheimer’s disease. Topics in Language Disorders, 15, 20-35.

Palmer, C., Adams, S., Bourgeois, M., Durrant, J., & Rossi, M. (1999). Reduction in caregiver-identified problem behaviors in patients with Alzheimer disease post-hearing-aid fitting. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 42, 312-328.

Ramig, L., Fox, C., & Sapir, S. (2004). Parkinson’s disease: speech and voice disorders and their treatment with the Lee Silverman voice Treatment. Seminars in Speech and Language. 25, 169-180.

Santo Pietro, M.J. (2002). Training nursing assistants to communicate effectively with persons with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Care Quarterly, 3 (2), 157-164.

Santo Pietro, M.J. & Boczko, F. (1998). The Breakfast Club: Results of a study examining the effectiveness of a multi-modality group communication treatment. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 13:3, 146-159.

Schulz, G.,& Grant, M. (2000). Effects of speech therapy and pharmacologic and surgical treatments for voice and speech in Parkinson’s disease: A review of the literature. Journal of Communication Disorders, 33,59-88.

Small, J.A., & Perry, J. (2005). Do you remember? How caregivers question their spouses who have Alzheimer’s disease and the impact on communication. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 48, 125-136.

Small, J. Gutman, G., Makela, S., & Hillhouse, B., (2003). Effectiveness of communication strategies used by caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease during activities of daily living. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 46, 353-367.

Verdonck-de Leeuw, I., Mahieu, H., (2004) Vocal aging and the impact on daily life: a longitudinal study. Journal of Voice, 18,193-202.

Non-print and electronic

Videotapes:

Hoffman, D. Complaints of a dutiful daughter. Women Make Movies, 462 Broadway, New York, NY10013

Shadden, B., & Lubinski, R. Enhancing communication services for persons in extended care settings. Rehab Training Network, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Rockville, Md.

Santo Pietro M. and Boczko, F. The Breakfast Club (Training Video) The Speech Bin, 1965 Twenty-fifth Avenue, Vero Beach, FL

Websites/electronic mail:

ASHA division 15 – Gerontology – listserve: asha-sid15-request @postman.com

National Council on Aging:

National Institute of Mental Health:

Care Concepts, ElderWeb:

Administration on Aging. Senior Centers.

Designing for the elderly. User interface design monthly update.

Gibson, M. (2003) Beyond 50.03 A report to the nation on independent living and disability. American Association of Retired Persons:

Holt, B. (2000) Creating senior-friendly Web sites. Center for Medicare Education (CME), Issue brief 1(4):

Mates, B. (2000) Adaptive technology for the Internet: Making electronic resources accessible to all. American Library Association:

The SPRY (Setting Priorities for Retirement Years) Foundation (2003) Computer-based technology and caregiving of older adults: What’s new, what’s next?