Even though these conditions are all very different, many of their associated communication difficulties are the same. Some of the these problems include decreased hearing or difficulty understanding language, difficulty remembering information, speech that is difficult for others to understand because of low volume, slurred or rapid speech or difficulty expressing ideas in words. Helping older individuals and their families cope with these problems is part of a growing practice for speech-language pathologists. Communication is the way we share information or exchange ideas. As human beings we need contact with others and the support that comes from that.
Communication is a two way interchange requiring two people.
When one of the two is impaired, communication becomes difficult. When we think of communicating, we usually think of language, but many illnesses have profound effects on language. For example, Alzheimer's Disease affects speech and the use of words as well as the understanding of words heard. As Alzheimer's Disease progresses, language as a means of communicating becomes less and less effective. In this case as with other conditions where speaking, hearing and understanding are affected, we need to use different ways to help get the message across and to stay in touch with our loved ones.