Speech Talk

This week, we’re diving into one of the murkiest waters of SLP practice: cognitive interventions for people with dementia. When you hear “Well, can’t you just work on following directions?”—do you cry inside? Same. That’s why we’re unpacking a meta-analysis to give you the research-backed confidence to stand your ground. We reviewed “Do cognitive interventions improve general cognition in dementia? A meta-analysis and meta-regression” by Huntley et al. to understand what works, what doesn’t, and what’s still unclear when it comes to treating dementia in a meaningful way. Spoiler alert: only treatment shown to have a positive impact on standardized testing, but there’s still a long way to go when it comes to proving quality-of-life improvements. You’ll learn:  The difference between Cognitive Therapy (CT), Cognitive Stimulation (CS), and Cognitive Rehabilitation (CR)  What type of cognitive intervention showed the most promise in research  Why “following directions” is not a valid treatment goal in moderate-severe dementia  How to collaborate with your Activities Department to support patients meaningfully  How to justify “eval-only” decisions   Tips for educating staff and advocating for appropriate referrals  Why you might want to brush up on your group therapy policies Articles Referenced: Huntley, J.D., et al. Do cognitive interventions improve general cognition in dementia? A meta-analysis and meta-regression. BMJ Open, 2015 Get in Touch: hello@speechtalkpod.com Or Visit Us At: ⁠www.SpeechTalkPod.com⁠  Instagram: @speechtalkpod Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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—what works, what doesn’t, and what might actually be harmful. Whether you're an SLP, nurse, OT, or just really into responsible toothbrushing, listen up because this was made for you! We break down the findings of the article “Hospital Mouth: Dental Aids May Cause Dental Erosion” by Meurman et al., which tested the impact of common oral care tools on dental health. Spoiler: not all swabs are created equal. Learn what to watch for in your patients with limited oral control, dry mouth, or persistent open oral posture, and how to adapt your practice with safety and dignity in mind. You’ll learn:  The pros and cons of different oral care products used in medical settings  Why lemon-glycerin swabs might be more harmful than helpful  How to adapt oral care routines for patients with dysphagia or reduced oral motor control  How repeated exposure to citric acid can affect dental surfaces  Creative ways to make oral care a functional part of dysphagia therapy  Tips for collaborating with nursing and occupational therapy  How to advocate for safer, patient-centered oral care supplies Articles Cited: Meurman, J.H. et al. Hospital Mouth: Dental Aids May Cause Dental Erosion. Freebie: Glycerin Swab In Service: Easily explain the benefits and differences between different types of oral care products! Share the usefulness of oral care tools and best practices easily with your team.  Get in Touch: hello@speechtalkpod.com Or Visit Us At: ⁠www.SpeechTalkPod.com⁠  Instagram: @speechtalkpod Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the importance of interdisciplinary communication and how tools like SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) can enhance patient safety and care quality. We explore findings from the research article "Impact of the communication and patient hand-off tool SBAR on patient safety: a systematic review" by Stock et al., and discuss how structured communication positively impacts teamwork, especially during handoffs and phone-based interactions. We’ll also break down practical, real-world tips for clinicians to initiate referrals, recognize red flags, and collaborate more effectively across disciplines. If you’ve ever wondered when to phone a friend in healthcare—or how to make sure your message gets through—this one’s for you. You’ll learn: What the SBAR communication tool is and how it works Research findings on SBAR's impact on patient safety When and how to initiate interdisciplinary communication Key clinical signs that warrant referrals or nurse involvement How to improve collaboration with nurses, PTs, OTs, dietitians, and others Practical tools and systems you can implement today to improve communication Why knowing your patient’s baseline and your scope of practice matters Articles Referenced: Stock, R. et al. Impact of the communication and patient hand-off tool SBAR on patient safety: a systematic review. Freebies! SBAR In Service: Use this to explain and describe rationale for the communication form for yourself or other disciplines! This can be particularly helpful if you have suffered from communication break-downs previously to help your facility implement systematic ways to send and receive information.  SBAR Fillable Form: Use this form to frame your communication with the interdisciplinary team in your facility! SBAR is outlined in a concise format to help you document changes in your patient to the proper channels while allowing you to physically document your communications.  Get in Touch: hello@speechtalkpod.com Or Visit Us At: ⁠www.SpeechTalkPod.com⁠  Instagram: @speechtalkpod Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does your oral mech exam really tell you? In this episode of Speech Talk, Eva and Emily get down and dirty (with tongue depressors, not drama) and explore why the phrase 'say ahh' is so iconic. They cover what is a normal oral cavity for our geri crowd, how to link findings to clinical hypotheses, and how to improve your diagnostic skills even when patients can’t cooperate as much as you might like.  If you’ve ever opened someone's mouth and wondered “...Is that normal?” This one’s for you You’ll learn: What the oral mech exam actually reveals (and what it doesn’t) Common pitfalls: symmetry obsession, passive exams, and more How to link oral mech findings to real clinical hypotheses Normal vs …Definitely not normal oral structures Why “ahh” is more than just a sound Articles Referenced: • ⁠Oral Health and Swallowing by Furuta and Yamashita⁠ Freebies: • Oral Hygiene Protocol: Use this to get conversations rolling on best practices in oral care. Discuss this with the nurses and CNA to ensure that they know who and when to complete referrals to therapy as well as the importance of consistent oral hygiene.  Get in Touch: hello@speechtalkpod.com Or Visit Us At: ⁠www.SpeechTalkPod.com⁠  Instagram: @speechtalkpod Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 traditional treatment plans. They share practical ideas for early intervention, motivational interviewing, and supporting independence—all with their signature mix of science and sass. This episode is your crash course on being a better advocate for patients who fall through the cracks. You’ll learn: How to tell the difference between MCI and early dementia Practical ideas for meaningful therapy when patients seem “too high” How to screen effectively and choose the right cognitive tools Functional treatment approaches for independence and safety Why motivational interviewing belongs in your SLP toolkit How to advocate for patients who mask their deficits  Articles Cited:  ⁠Comparative Efficacy of Seven Nonpharmacological Interventions on Global Cognition of Older Adults with and without Mild Cognitive impairment A Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Control Trials by Seok, J. W., Kim et. al⁠ Get in Touch: hello@speechtalkpod.com Or Visit Us At: ⁠www.SpeechTalkPod.com⁠  Instagram: @speechtalkpod Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 pneumonia, and how to talk to families and care teams when emotions and ethics collide. You’ll also learn how to interpret key research on PEG tube outcomes and what guidelines say about feeding tubes in dementia. No guilt, no judgment—just smart, compassionate guidance from two SLPs who’ve had those hard conversations many times before. You’ll learn: What PEG tubes actually do—and what they don’t The research around PEG tubes and aspiration pneumonia How malnutrition, cognitive status, and goals of care intersect Conversation strategies for talking PEG with families and teams What professional guidelines say about PEG tubes in dementia How to navigate tricky ethical ground without losing compassion Articles Cited: ⁠Rahnemai-Azar et. al. “Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: Indications, technique, complications and management⁠ Freebies: PEG Tube Badge Buddy Get in Touch: hello@speechtalkpod.com Or Visit Us At: ⁠www.SpeechTalkPod.com⁠  Instagram: @speechtalkpod Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of National Aphasia Awareness Month, we’re diving into a practical and research-supported tool that every clinician should know about—the Quick Aphasia Battery (QAB). If you’ve ever felt a little rusty when it comes to aphasia evaluation and treatment, this episode is for you. We break down the research by Lucanie et al., explain how the QAB can save you time while giving you a multidimensional view of language function, and discuss how to use it for goal writing and bridging the gap between screening and full evaluation. Plus, we reflect on why accessible, efficient tools like the QAB are exactly what clinicians need in fast-paced environments. You’ll learn: What aphasia is and how it affects communication The 8 subtests included in the Quick Aphasia Battery (QAB) How to use QAB results for goal setting and clinical documentation Limitations and considerations when using the QAB Where to access the QAB materials and automated scoring spreadsheet Articles Cited: Lucanie, M. et al. A Quick Aphasia Battery for Efficient, Reliable, and Multidimensional Assessment of Language Function.⁠ Resources: ⁠Quick Aphasia Battery Test Forms⁠ ⁠Quick Aphasia Battery Scoring Get in Touch: hello@speechtalkpod.com Or Visit Us At: ⁠www.SpeechTalkPod.com⁠  Instagram: @speechtalkpod Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eva and Emily dig into the intersection of cognitive impairment and medication management in older adults. Based on the study by Gorodesky et al., they explore how common cognitive errors—like perception failures and rule-based mistakes—impact a patient’s ability to read pill bottles, open containers, and organize medications. With hilarious patient stories and a toolbox of clinical tips (including the infamous pill-sorting task), this episode delivers realistic strategies for assessing med adherence, involving caregivers, and preventing rehospitalization. This one’s a must-listen for SLPs in skilled nursing, rehab, or any transitional care setting. You’ll learn: How cognitive impairments impact medication management performance The difference between knowledge-based, rule-based, and skill-based errors Why everyone (yes, everyone) makes pill-sorting mistakes Strategies for assessing pill bottle reading and pillbox use The role of cognitive screeners like Mini-Cog and MoCA Tips for caregiver training, transitions of care, and pharmacy-supported systems Article Referenced: Medication self-management skills and cognitive impairment in older adults hospitalized for heart failure” by Gorodeski et al. Freebie: Medication Management Assessment & In Service Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dentures, dysphagia, and swallowing safety — how do they all connect? In this first episode of Speech Talk, speech-language pathologists Eva Johnson and Emily Brady dive deep into the world of speech therapy for older adults, focusing on oral phase dysphagia, denture fit, and swallowing disorders in medically complex patients. Perfect for SLPs, SLP grad students, and anyone interested in speech therapy, aging, and oral health, this episode sets the tone for a show that’s research-driven, patient-focused, and deeply relatable. You’ll learn: What current research says about removable dentures and swallowing efficiency How denture use impacts oral sensitivity and aspiration risk Why proper oral care and denture hygiene matter more than ever Clinical tips for bedside SLP evaluations Funny but educational stories from real patient encounters Articles Cited: The Effects of Removable Dentures on Swallowing” by Dae-Sik Son et al. Futura and Yamashita titled “Oral Health and Swallowing Problems Freebie:  Denture In service Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 clinical education into your life without actually reading a journal article… we got ya! New episodes every other week-ish. Probably while you’re eating lunch in your car. — Get in Touch: hello@speechtalkpod.com Or Visit Us At: www.SpeechTalkPod.com Produced by: Human Content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices