Speech Therapy | Memorial Hospital | Fremont Ohio

Adult Services
The Speech Therapy Department at Memorial Hospital offers the following services, from acute care hospitalization to follow-up at the outpatient level.

Intervention begins with a comprehensive evaluation to assess speech, auditory comprehension, expressive language, cognition, and functional communication.  Further specialized evaluations for dysphagia, voice disorders, and augmentative communication are available and are adapted to each individual.

During treatment, patients participate in goal setting and help to create a home educational program to promote carryover of the skills learned in therapy.  Family and caregivers are encouraged to participate in this program and to provide additional input during treatment to help patients achieve the highest level of functionality.  
       
Dysphagia Therapy
Members of the Speech Therapy Department at Memorial Hospital are certified in the current and most successful methods for treating dysphagia including:
    Vital Stimulation
    Traditional Laryngeal Strengthening/Exercise Program

Aphasia Therapy
Treatment for individuals with aphasia at Memorial Hospital includes improving communication through use of remaining language abilities.  Compensatory strategies are taught to further increase communication success and independence.  Patients, family and caregivers work together to form realistic and motivating goals that are unique to each patient.

In severe instances, the use of alternative communication (such as a speech generating device) may be explored.  These devices are tailored to each patient and help to facilitate independent communication.

Cognitive Therapy
Cognition encompasses the functions of thinking, reasoning, and the use of memory.  Further, it also includes attention, problem-solving, and perception.  Cognitive deficits are typically caused by a head injury or disease of the brain, with traumatic brain injury being the most common cause.

Treatment for cognitive disorders at Memorial Hospital focuses on daily living activities that have been affected and that make day-to-day living, education, or work difficult.  Patients, family, and caregivers are educated on strategies to facilitate cognitive rehabilitation and are given a home educational program to further practice skills learned in therapy. 

Voice Therapy
Voice therapy is a patient-specific program used to improve a patient’s quality, strength, and endurance of voice.  Causes of voice disorders can range from excessive use to neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s Disease.  Treatment focuses on addressing abusive vocal behaviors and lifestyles while providing alternative and healthier strategies.  Various tasks target healthy vocal behavior, assist in vocal fold wound healing after injury or surgery, and decreasing the need for abusive vocal behavior.

For more information, contact the Speech Therapy Department at 419.334.6630