Research is supposed to guide our practice—but what happens when we can’t actually access it?In this episode of Speech Talk, Eva and Emily get into the reality of paywalled research and what it means for evidence-based practice in speech-language pathology. Breaking down the article “The Effect o…
Thickened liquids are one of the most common recommendations in dysphagia management—but are they always the safest option?In this episode of Speech Talk, we examine the complexities of thickened liquids in dysphagia management, sharing personal experiences and case studies. We discuss misconce…
This episode delves into the intricacies of Huntington's disease, derived from a recent patient encounter that underscored the challenges faced by speech-language pathologists. We provide a historical overview, tracing the condition back to George Huntington's 1872 paper, and discuss its neurodegen…
In this episode of Speech Talk, Emily and Eva dive into cervical osteophytes (aka bone spurs in the neck) and how they can mechanically impact swallowing. We break down what osteophytes are, why they form, and how they can present just like “typical” dysphagia — globus, coughing, choking, wet vocal…
Setting the stage for dementia care: aka staging! Emily and Eva to examine dementia staging and its impact on care. We share our personal experiences in acute care/SNF/LTC and emphasize the importance of adaptation and effective communication for patients and families.Discussing the mild, moderat…
In this episode, co-hosts Emily and Eva discuss the vital role of prehabilitation for head and neck cancer patients, emphasizing its importance for improving patient outcomes. They highlight the need for standardized protocols and share alarming statistics on swallowing dysfunction post-treatment. …
A very Geri Problem: TBI (traumatic brain injury) in Aging. In this episode of we share insights on the trends of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among older adults and their implications for our practice as speech-language pathologists. Our discussion includes an exploration of various TBI typ…
This week on Speech Talk, we’re breaking down two of our favorite fast and evidence-backed dysphagia screeners: the TOMASS and the Yale Swallow Protocol. If you’ve ever been buried in a busy SNF day and wished for a quick but...
DOSS It Matter? (Spoiler: Yes.) In this episode, Emily and Eva explore the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS), an assessment tool for quantifying swallowing disorders. They discuss the history and importance of the DOSS in bringing objectivity and consistency to dysphagia evaluations, high…
You've tested your patient and they are sitting at a 25/30 on the MoCA. They have an MCI.. now what?In this episode, we explore mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition that sits between normal aging and dementia. We discuss the nuances of MCI, its subtypes, and the critical need for early …
In this episode, we examine the transformative role of AI [large language models (LLMs)] like ChatGPT in speech therapy and clinical practice. While we didn't have Chat write our episode, we do discuss how ChatGPT and other AI help our practice.We delve into how these AI tools enhance clinical …
In this episode, Eva and Emily discuss the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), a vital dysphagia screener for adults that assesses swallowing difficulties through patient self-reports. They highlight the importance of interpreting scores accurately, particularly in identifying clinically significant i…
In this episode, we delve into the intricate relationship between hearing loss and dementia, addressing a topic that is ever-present in skilled nursing environments. As speech therapists, we share our anecdotal experiences where the challenges of communicating with elderly patients often lead to un…
In this episode of Speech Talk , Eva and Emily explore how GERD and dysphagia impact on swallowing, nutrition, and patient care in skilled nursing facilities. Learn how to recognize GERD-related symptoms, advocate for proper ...
Get ready to brush up on your oral care knowledge! 🦷 In this episode, Emily and Eva explore the world of oral hygiene products in SNF care and highlight the Lemon swab. Talking about what works, what doesn’t, and what might actually be harmful. Whether you're an SLP, nurse, OT, or just really into …
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): what it is, how it shows up, and what SLPs can actually do about it. In this episode, Emily and Eva break down how MCI differs from moderate and advanced dementia, how to approach screening, and how to design meaningful therapy when patients are still “too high” for…
To PEG or not to PEG? In this episode of Speech Talk, Emily and Eva confront the clinical gray zones around percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placements in older adults.They unpack what PEG tubes actually do (and don’t do), their potential impact on malnutrition and aspiration pneumo…
QAB Aphasia Bonus Episode is dropping in honor of National Aphasia Awareness Month. Eva and Emily decided to feature their favorite evidence-based tools: the Quick Aphasia Battery (QAB) by Lucanie et al. Whether you're new to aphasia evaluation or just feeling a little out of practice, this episode…
Today, we talk about how dentures impact dysphagia- if we can answer Where Are My Teeth? In this episode of Speech Talk, we explore the critical role dentures play in the swallowing abilities of edentulous patients. We begin by discussing the prevalence of dentures among older adults and the connec…
Training medication management? In this episode, we address the challenges of medication management for older adults with cognitive impairments, sharing our insights from high-turnover facilities. We review the research on medication self-management skills, revealing significant difficulties these …
Two speech-language pathologists walk into a podcast. There’s no punchline, but for some reason we’re still laughing.Emily and Eva embark on reading the research so you don’t have to. If you’ve ever squinted at a pillbox, questioned your own functional goals, or wondered how to sneak more clini…