My Sister 80 yrs. old has had PSP for about 3 years, rapid progression.Was suggested she could try speech therapy, as she hardly speaks now

[nannygoon]

when you ask her a question or speak to her you get no responce.How could speech therapy help? Anyone know?

[dorothy-thompson]

Hi Nannygoon

Probably no use at all sadly so why tire your sister with therapies that really do not help with PSP.

My husband is in his eighth year of PSP, his speech is also practically inaudible because it is all to do with the throat muscles, he is unable to form the words. We quite often use the alphabet and he points the letters out to form the word he wants to use.

It's hard and frustrating but we generally manage.

All the best

Dorothy T

[nannygoon]

Thanks for your prompt reply. I think you are right, why put her through that, we will soldier on thanks again ,I am getting so much help from this web site.

[SharonAB]

Dear Nannygoon,

I am left wondering who suggested the speech therapist to you, and why? For I have found there is a vast array of different type of speech therapists - for which some have proved very resourceful - some not quite so.

For example - what I thought would be unhelpful John found very helpful - John met with other people in varying degrees of immobility and loss of speech - some severely restricted and older than 80 and they watched and discussed documentaries one session a week over 7 weeks and each wanted to keep attending (the sessions were quite jovial and carers if/as required stayed on). John and his carer has since used the same strategies to initiate conversation.

On another occasion John received one on one support from a speech therapist - on mouth and swallowing excercises linked in with posture and seatring which I thought he would have hated and I didn't realise it was a speech therapist matter- i thought it something an OT would have assisted with. Turns out John took on and followed alot of the instruction. He still has followup consults as reminders and is willing and able to go along.

Regards,

Alana - Western Australia

[Kathryn]

We have found the speech therapists very helpful. My husband went to a "loud" group which he enjoyed and found useful. He has exercises ,which he sometimes does to keep his speech going for as long as possible. The speech therapists have also called at home at meal times to help with swallowing problems and have prescribed Thick and Easy for his drinks. We think they have made a significant contribution to keeping him going for as long as possible.

[ultramodern]

Dear Nanny,I would suggest that a speech therapist could help keep the communications going. My bride enjoyed the assistance her therapist gave...especially as they also can help with swallowing problems.

I also think psychologically that having someone else than the primary carer allows the person with PSP

to have another caring help.

Let's face it there is precious little anyone can do that can alleviate the symptoms of this ghastly disease...but

maybe a speech therapist along with a physiotherapist are the only ones.And there ain't much Neurologists can do either!

With you in mind,best,brian

[jimandsharynp]

In her case speech therapy may not work or would be of minimal value. There is a course titled Lee Silverman Course or something like that. It requires that you do daily drills to improve your speech. My wife didn't want to do the drills. You could give speech therapy a try but don't expect outstanding results. That's my opinion.

Jimbo

[Peter3]

Dear Nannygoon,

I would suggest you do let your sister go to the Speech and language therapist. My husband initially benefitted first with one to one and then some group work. Yes, his speech now has all but gone, but it gave us an opportunity to practise alternative ways of communicating with each other.

The SpeechTherapist has also been excellent at helping me cope with the eating and drinking difficulties my husband experiences, Finally, it is via the speech therapist I was able to attend a course on how to manage when a person chokes. This latter bit was just in time for us.

If your sister has the energy, let have a go at it.

Peter3.

[nannygoon in reply to Peter3]

Thanks for your reply My sister is in full time care now and I will speak to the staff to give speech therapy a try, only problem is her response, she does not respond to any questions you ask her now even when we went to see the Parkinson's nurse she was asking her questions and got no response at all she just stares at you or if she has anything in front of her even a cup of tea she will just keep pushing the cup along the table and you can't get her attention, I feel very sad she is slipping further away every day.

[nannygoon in reply to Peter3]

I will give it a try. She is in a nursing home now and the problem now is her response, she just stares at you when asked a question and very seldom do we get a reply, even when we arrive to visit her it takes a good 5 to ten minutes to get her attention before she can focus on you and know who you are. thanks for your help.