Working together
Following our brief phone consultation, we will establish a day and time that we (the individual with diagnosed cognitive/memory issues and caregiver, together) can meet for our initial session/assessment (75 minutes). The initial session consists of a cognitive and language assessment, education on characteristics of dementia and introduction to compensatory strategies. We will schedule 2-3 follow-up sessions (50 minutes, each). The follow-up sessions are designed to review and/or modify strategies, answer questions and provide any appropriate outside resources. Then, one check-in session (50 minutes) will take place after 4-6 weeks as a follow-up to review/modify strategies and answer questions.
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Getting to know each other
In addition to our brief consultation call, you and the individual with a diagnosis of memory loss will complete intake forms which will request relevant medical history, medications and questions about hobbies, likes/dislikes, etc. of the individual with memory/cognitive impairment. It is also important to share any previous speech therapy services and/or strategies that are currently being implemented.
The goal
The goal of consultation is to assist caregivers/spouses/family members in providing care to individuals with dementia/mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to improve communication and quality of life. Converge Speech TherapyTM provides education about dementia/MCI and the challenges to caregiving, provides training for compensatory and problem solving strategies and provide follow-up sessions to fine-tune strategies and answer questions.
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Real-world practice
After receiving training for compensatory and problem solving strategies, you'll trial these functionally with the individual with dementia/MCI in everyday situations. During our two follow-up sessions, we will discuss their effectiveness and make adjustments as needed. Remember, these strategies won't change the progression of cognitive impairment -- they are to assist you with problem solving and communication with the individual with dementia/MCI to in the everyday world to improve overall quality of life.
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