A new study indicates that intensive speech therapy might not be the best method for helping someone regain their speech after they suffer from a stroke. Rather than bunch the bulk of speech therapy within the first six to eight weeks after tha stroke as had typically happened in the past, researchers are now saying that speech can be regained more fully if a longer, and less intensive approach is taken. This is good news for those that are struggling after a stroke. It indicates that there is more hope for regaining speech than once thought.
There are a couple things to point out about these findings. First, the study does not say that therapy is not effective for helping to regain speech. However, it indicates that this is a long term process and that the benefits of a huge surge in therapy early on after a stroke are not as helpful as a slow and steady long term approach. Second, the research was only pointed toward speech therapy. This big push in therapy shortly after a stroke occurs is helpful when it comes to physical and occupational therapy. This study does not recommend that these interventions be cut back or scaled down. Speech therapy was the only type of intervention that was recommended to be more prolonged and spread out.
These findings were recently published in the International Journal of Stroke. The researchers are based out of Edith Cowan University.
A stroke is a life changing event. After someone has a stroke, there is a narrow window where treatment is vital. Usually, this window lasts for only about two hours. After this time period, the likelihood of a full recovery begins to diminish. Problems with speech, physical mobility, and other disability become more likely. Therapy can help, but this isn’t something that can be applied in a cookie cutter manner, as the above study indicates. When the needs of the individual are taken into account, the likelihood of successful treatment increases. Intensive therapy isn’t going to be as helpful if the unique needs of the person are not taken into account.
This holds true with a lot of different things. While we are firm supporters of individualized seniors care, care isn’t the only place where individualized attention can help someone thrive. It works in education, fitness, and finance. When someone has their unique needs and goals taken into account, they tend to show a lot more progress toward achieving those goals.
If this is something that you’re looking into for an older loved one, let us know. One of our trained caregivers would love to sit down with you or meet over video chat to help you get started. Senior care can be confusing, and there are a lot of competing voices out there. But what makes us different is that our goal is to figure out what your family’s needs are, and then create a care plan around that, not just fit our model of care onto your family. And if you’re already well-versed with the world of senior care but you’re looking for something different, we can help you there, too.
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