Neurological Communication Disorders in the Elderly- Speech and Language Therapy

Health is a state to be promoted and preserved in order to ensure that the full benefits areenjoyed in later years. Good health is essential to maintain life quality and ensures continued contributions of older persons to society. Aging is defined as a function disability resulting in a loss of response to growing risk of age associated diseases. Especially, in developing countries access to adequate health care is essential for the elderly accompanied by a chronic illness. Speech and language therapy is one of the vital services that should be provided for them in case of disability or impairment. Communication is unique to human beings. When affected negatively, it may alter individual’s whole life. Accordingly, in this study, how right and left brain damages, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s affect speech and language in the elderly was described and the role of the speech and language therapist was discussed regarding the aforementioned neurological disorders.Communication disorders, Aphasia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, speech and language therapy.