Spring, 2007
KEAN UNIVERSITY
Union, New Jersey
COMMUNICATION DISORDERS IN AGING
Course Number:
CDD 5273
Semester Hours:
1.5
Pre-requisites:
Permission of Program Coordinator
Limitation on Enrollment:
25
Required or Elective:
Elective
Course Description:
Physiological, psychological and sociological effects of aging on
communication; assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and advocacy roles of
professionals working in geriatric settings are explored.
N.B. In order to ensure full class participation, any student with a disabling
condition requiring special accommodations (e.g. tape recorders, special
adaptive equipment, special not-taking or test-taking procedures) will be
strongly encouraged to contact the professor at the beginning of the course.
For the student’s convenience, the professor’s office hours, telephone
number, and e-mail address will be listed on the syllabus.
KEAN UNIVERSITY
Union, New Jersey
COMMUNICATION DISORDERS IN AGING
I.
Course Objectives
Students will become informed and understanding professionals able to evaluate and treat
communication problems associated with aging, and advocate on behalf of elderly
communication-impaired persons. The student will:
A. demonstrate knowledge of communication patterns associated with physiological,
psychological and sociological aspects of aging. (K)
B. comprehend the implications of specific communication problems associated with
aging. (K,D)
C. select, administer, and interpret appropriate assessments of communication-impaired
elderly persons using current tools in the field. (K,S)
D. design effective communication intervention programs for elderly persons in a variety
of settings employing inter-disciplinary approaches. (K,S,D)
E. describe and categorize current systems for service delivery of communication
assessment and intervention for the elderly and devise methods for “working within”
as well as advocating for changes in the systems. (K,S,D)
II.
Course Content
A. Communication patterns associated with physiological, psychological and
sociological aspects of aging. (K)
1. Physical aspects of aging: “healthy” aging, common illnesses associated with old
age;
2. Mental status and aging; cognition, affect, adjustment;
3. Social aspects of aging in a diverse society.
B. Communication problems associated with aging. (K, D)
1. Communication breakdowns due to normal aging, “communication-impaired
environments”, communication problems of caregivers;
2. Hearing and aging;
3. Age-related changes in speech and voice;
4. Aging and swallowing;
5. The effects of Alzheimer Disease and other dementias on communication;
6. Other language and communication problems associated with aging.
C. Assessment of communication-impaired elderly persons; (K, S)
1. Standardized tests of communicative abilities in adults
2. Functional communication assessments and outcomes
3. Evaluation of caregivers and communication partners
4. Evaluation of communication environments
D. Intervention approaches: A continuum of care settings and service delivery models.
(K, S, D)
1. Overview of care settings and service delivery models;
2. Communication intervention family caregivers and professional health care
providers
3. Innovative communication programming in various long-term care settings
a. Programs to train volunteers and partners
b. Environmental modification programs
c. Programs to create functional communication communities
4. Specific treatments for common communication disabilities
a. managing hearing loss
b. Preventing assessing, and treat dysphagia
c. Functional treatment for common speech and language disorders
d. Augmentative and alternative communication for the elderly
e. Interdisciplinary approaches to treatment and the role of the speech-language
pathologist
E. Service delivery of communication assessment and intervention for older adults:
(K, S, D)
Financing and promoting communication health for the elderly
1. Medicare, medicaid and the realities of the marketplace
2. Functional treatment for common speech and language disorders
3. Innovative community-based approaches
4. The politics of caring for the elderly.
III.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
IV.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Methods of Instruction
Lecture
Videotape presentations
Guest speakers from related professional disciplines
Site visits to nursing homes and other community facilities
Case studies
Small group problem solving
Methods of Evaluation
Examinations (K)
Observation reports (K,D)
Small group projects (K,D)
Case presentations (K,S,D)
V.
Suggested Texts
Worrall, L. & Hickson, L. (2003). Communication disability in aging: From prevention
to intervention. San Diego, CA: Singular Publications.
Shadden, B., & Toner, MA. Eds. (1997). Aging and Communication: For clinicians by
clinicians. Austin, TX: Pro-ed.
VI.
Bibliography
Books/Texts
Camp, C.J. (2006). Spaced retrieval: A model for dissemination of a cognitive
intervention for persons with dementia. In D.K. Attix & K.S. Welsh-Bohmer (Eds.)
Geriatric neuropsychology: assessment and intervention (pp. 275-292). New York:
Guilford Press
Chapey, R. (2001) Language Intervention strategies in aphasia and related neurogenic
communiation disorders. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Frattali, C. and Lubinski, R. (2000). Professional issues in speech-language pathology
and audiology, second edition. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Learning.
Santo Pietro, M.J. and Ostuni, E. (2002). Successful communication with persons with
Alzheimer's disease: An in-service manual. St. Louis, MO: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Thompson, C. K., & Johnson, N. (2006). Language interventions in dementia. In D.K.
Attix & K.A. Welsh-Bohmer (Eds.), Geriatric neuropsychology: Assessment and
intervention ( 315-332). New York: Guilford Press.
Weinstein, B. (2000). Geriatric audiology. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers.
Seminal Books
Atchley, R. (1994). Social forces and aging: An introduction to social gerontology. (7th
ed.) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Elman, R. (1999). Group treatment of neurogenic communication disorders: The expert
clinician’s approach. St. Louis: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Frattali, C., Thompson, C., Holland, A., Wohl, C., & Ferketic, M. (1995). Functional
assessment of communication skills for adults. Rockville, MD: American SpeechLanguage-Hearing Association.
Huntley, R., & Helfer, K. (1996). Communication in later life. Boston, MA:
Butterworth-Heinemann.
Lubinski, R. (1997). Dementia and communication. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing
Group.
Lubinski, R., & Higginbotham, D. (1997). Communication technologies for the elderly:
vision, hearing, and speech. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Learning.
Maxim, J., & Bryan, D. (1994). Language of the elderly: A clinical perspective. London,
England: Whurr.
Santo Pietro, M.J. & Boczko, F. (1997). The Breakfast Club: Program training guide.
Vero Beach, FL: The Speech Bin.
Santo Pietro, M.J. & Goldfarb, R. (1995). TARGET: Techniques in aphasia rehabilitation,
generating effective treatment. Vero Beach, FL: The Speech Bin.
Ulatowska, H., & Chapman, S. (1991). Neurolinguistics and aging. In D. Ripich, (ed.)
Handbook of geriatric communication disorders. Austin, TX: Pro-ed., 21-37.
Periodicals
Bayles, K. (2003). Effects of working memory deficits on the communicative functioning
of Alzheimer’s dementia patients. Journal of Communication Disorders. 36, 209-220.
Bayles, K., Kim, E., (2003). Improving the functioning of individuals with Alzheimer’s
disease: emergence of behavioral interventions. Journal of Communication Disorders.
36, 327-344.
Bellis, T., & Wilber, L. (2001). Effects of aging and gender on interhemispheric function.
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 44, 246-261.
Brush, J., Threats, T., & Calkins, M. (2003). Influences on perceived function of a
nursing home resident. Journal of Communication Disorders. 36, 379-393.
Chapman, S.B., Weiner, M.F., Rackley, A., Hynan, L.S., & Zientz, J. (2004). Effects of
cognitive-communication stimulation for Alzheimer’s disease patients treated with
Donepezil. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 47, 1149-1163.
Desjardins, J. & Doherty, K. (2009).Do Experienced Hearing Aid Users Know How to
Use Their Hearing Aids Correctly? American Journal of Audiology, 18: 69 - 76.
Frisina, R. (2001). Possible neurochemical and neuroanatomical bases of age-related
hearing loss-presbycusis. Seminars in Hearing, 22, 213-226.
Garrard, P., Lambon Ralph, M.A., Patterson, K., Pratt, K.H. & Hodges, J.R. (2005)
Semantic feature knowledge and picture naming in dementia of Alzheimer’s type: A new
approach,. Brain and Language, 93, 79-94.
Garstecki, D. (1996). Older adult hearing handicap and hearing aid management.
American Journal of Audiology, 5, 25-34.
Gleeson, D. (1999). Oropharyngeal swallowing and aging: a review. Journal of
Communication Disorders. 32, 373-395.
Groves-Wright, K., Neils-Strunjas, J., Burnett, & R., O’Neill, M. (2004). A comparison
of verbal and written language in Alzheimer’s disease, Journal of Communication
Disorders.37, 109-130.
Hopper, T. (2001). Indirect interventions to facilitate communication in Alzheimer’s
disease. Seminars in Speech and Language. 22, 305-315.
Hopper, T., Bayles, K., & Kim, E. (2001). Retained neuropsychological abilities of
individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Seminars in Speech and Language. 22, I261-273.
Hopper, T. (2003). “They’re just going to get worse anyway”: Perspectives on
rehabilitation for nursing home residents with dementia. Journal of Communication
Disorders. 36, I345-359.
Logemann, J., Gensler, G., Robbins, J., Lindblad, A., Brandt, D., Hind, J., Kosek, S.,
Dikeman, K., Kazandjian, M., Gramigna, G., Lundy, D., McGarvey-Toler, S. & Miller
Gardner, P. (2008) A Randomized Study of Three Interventions for Aspiration of Thin
Liquids in Patients With Dementia or Parkinson's Disease, Journal of Speech Language
Hearing Research, 51: 173-183.
Mahendra, N., & Arkin, S. (2003). Effects of four years of exercise, language, and social
interventions on Alzheimer discourse. Journal of Communication Disorders. 36, I3951422.
McNamara, P., & Durso, R.(2003). Pragmatic communication skills in patients with
Parkinson’s disease. Brain and Language, 84, 414-423.
Murray, L., Dickerson, S., Lichtenberger, B., & Cox, C. (2003). Effects of toy
stimulation on the cognitive, communicative, and emotional functioning of adults in the
middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Communication Disorders. 36, 101-127
Orange, J., Ryan, E., Meredith, S., & MacLean, M. (1995). Application of the
Communication Enhancement Model for long-term care residents with Alzheimer’s
disease. Topics in Language Disorders, 15, 20-35.
Palmer, C., Adams, S., Bourgeois, M., Durrant, J., & Rossi, M. (1999). Reduction in
caregiver-identified problem behaviors in patients with Alzheimer disease post-hearingaid fitting. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 42, 312-328.
Ramig, L., Fox, C., & Sapir, S. (2004). Parkinson’s disease: speech and voice disorders
and their treatment with the Lee Silverman voice Treatment. Seminars in Speech and
Language. 25, 169-180.
Santo Pietro, M.J. (2002). Training nursing assistants to communicate effectively with
persons with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Care Quarterly, 3 (2), 157-164.
Santo Pietro, M.J. & Boczko, F. (1998). The Breakfast Club: Results of a study examining
the effectiveness of a multi-modality group communication treatment. American Journal of
Alzheimer’s Disease, 13:3, 146-159.
Schulz, G.,& Grant, M. (2000). Effects of speech therapy and pharmacologic and surgical
treatments for voice and speech in Parkinson’s disease: A review of the literature.
Journal of Communication Disorders, 33, 59-88.
Small, J.A., & Perry, J. (2005). Do you remember? How caregivers question their
spouses who have Alzheimer’s disease and the impact on communication. Journal of
Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 48, 125-136.
Small, J. Gutman, G., Makela, S., & Hillhouse, B., (2003). Effectiveness of
communication strategies used by caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease during
activities of daily living. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 46, 353367.
Verdonck-de Leeuw, I., Mahieu, H., (2004) Vocal aging and the impact on daily life: a
longitudinal study. Journal of Voice, 18, 193-202.
Non-print and electronic
Videotapes:
Hoffman, D. Complaints of a dutiful daughter. Women Make Movies, 462 Broadway,
New York, NY 10013
Shadden, B., & Lubinski, R. Enhancing communication services for persons in extended
care settings. Rehab Training Network, American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association, Rockville, Md.
Santo Pietro M. and Boczko, F. The Breakfast Club (Training Video) The Speech Bin,
1965 Twenty-fifth Avenue, Vero Beach, FL
Websites/electronic mail:
ASHA division 15 – Gerontology – listserve: asha-sid15-request @postman.com
National Council on Aging: www.ncoa.org
National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov
Care Concepts, ElderWeb: www.elderweb.com/careconcepts
Administration on Aging. Senior Centers. www.aoa.gov/factsheets/seniorcenters.html
Designing for the elderly. User interface design monthly update.
www.webusability.com/usability_article_Designing_for_the_elderly2001.htm
Gibson, M. (2003) Beyond 50.03 A report to the nation on independent living and
disability. American Association of Retired Persons:
www.seniornet.org/institute/survey1.html
Holt, B. (2000) Creating senior-friendly Web sites. Center for Medicare Education
(CME), Issue brief 1(4): www.medicareed.org/conotent/CMEPubDocs/V1N4.pdf
Mates, B. (2000) Adaptive technology for the Internet: Making electronic resources
accessible to all. American Library Association:
http://www.ala.org/ala/products/books/editons/adaptivetechnology.htm
The SPRY (Setting Priorities for Retirement Years) Foundation (2003) Computer-based
technology and caregiving of older adults: What’s new, what’s next?
www.spry.org/publications/html