Speech-Language Pathologists Help 

Patients Manage Problems Of Aging

ROME – Most people never think twice about their ability to enjoy food and drink. But, for some, swallowing isn’t easy.

According to Jackie Kolb, M.A., CCC-SLP, the supervising speech-language pathologist at Rome Memorial Hospital, swallowing disorders are common among the elderly. Stroke, degenerative Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis are just a few of the medical conditions that can impact a patient’s ability to swallow.

"Anytime there is a change in the muscular or esophageal function, the patient may have a problem with food or liquid slipping into the airway," Kolb said. "Even after surgery or a long hospital stay, the patient’s swallowing mechanism may be weakened. Swallowing problems may also slowly develop as a person ages and weakens and develops cervical changes in the neck."

Swallowing disorders can lead to numerous problems, even death. "If food or liquid is aspirated, the patient can develop pneumonia," Kolb said. "Just the effort spent on coughing can deplete a person’s energy. And often, if people are having difficulty swallowing, they may eat less and not drink enough fluids and become malnourished and dehydrated."

Videofluorscopy swallow studies, conducted in the hospital’s Medical Imaging Department, provide the speech-language pathologists with diagnostic information to assess swallow function.

"After a patient is evaluated, we make recommendations to help prevent aspiration and improve efficiency and ease of swallowing," Kolb said. A combination of positioning, consistency, exercise and other swallow strategies may be recommended to protect the airway and improve intake.

Rome Memorial Hospital recently welcomed a fourth speech-language pathologist to its Speech Therapy Department, which will enable the hospital to provide outpatient speech therapy services at its satellite office in Chestnut Commons, 107 E. Chestnut St.

Kimberly Flaherty, MS, SLP-CF, earned a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology and audiology from SUNY at Cortland and a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Syracuse University. Flaherty, Kolb, Diana Baker, MS, SLP-CF, and Nikki DeBlasiis, MS, CCC-SLP, evaluate and treat patients with communication, cognitive or swallowing disorders.

Although speech-language pathologists are best known for their work with children, they are depended upon to help the elderly maintain a good quality of life. "Early identification and treatment of swallowing disorders can decrease the need for feeding tubes and reduce the incidence of pneumonia, dehydration and malnutrition in the elderly," Kolb said.

Some of the signs of a swallowing disorder include coughing while eating or drinking, or weight loss. Patients may also experience a runny nose, sneezing, and excess secretions in the mouth as part of the swallow problem.

"There’s no enjoyment in eating if you have problems swallowing," Kolb said. Anyone with signs of a swallowing disorder should talk to his or her physician, who can make a referral to the speech-language pathologist.

For more information about Rome Memorial Hospital’s Speech Therapy Department, please call 338-7154.