Speech Therapy

Speech Therapy Overview

In a sense, the name “speech therapy” is misleading. While it does deal with recovering verbal ability in the aftermath of a significant medical event like cancer, traumatic brain injury, or stroke, it assists in many other ways as well. After all, many diseases and disorders present other issues (swallowing, aphasia, and a host of neurological conditions) that are also addressed by the speech-language pathologists at Princeton Health Care Center.

In addition to delivering speech therapy, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) takes a multi-pronged approach to address the physical and neurological problems underpinning problems with speech or swallowing. These can include group therapy, perception therapy, and even art therapy, among others.

As with our other skilled therapy services, the speech therapy treatment plans at Princeton Health Care Center are designed for individual needs. These include:

  • Recovery of speech, language, and memory skills
  • Verbal and non-verbal communication, including programs for the hearing impaired
  • Improvements in oral muscle strength and functioning required for speaking and swallowing using VitalStim
  • Appropriate diet recommendations

Speech Therapy at Princeton Health Care Center

If you live in Princeton, WV, or elsewhere in Mercer County, we invite you to consider Princeton Health Care Center to meet your skilled therapy needs or those of your loved ones. We take pride in expert care delivered with compassion and skill. Contact your Princeton skilled nursing facility for more information today.

The Benefits of Speech Therapy

Those who participate in speech therapy reap a number of benefits. Some of these are obvious, but others are much less so.

In some instances — like the speech recovery after a stroke — time is of the essence in recovering speech. In other cases, where the underlying cause is harder to pin down, the course of treatment may be longer and more challenging. Patients suffering from aphasia, which is a difficulty in processing and using language, face unique challenges that a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) can help address.

We take for granted that our loved ones will let us know when they’re injured, uncomfortable, or in pain. However, when those we care for lose the ability to communicate, they’re unable to assist in their own care. What’s more, speech issues often indicate physical or neurological issues that can further degrade health or lead to injury. An SLP can work with patients to make it easier for them to help themselves.

While many speech problems are the result of an illness, that isn’t always the case. There are times when something as simple as dehydration or a reaction to medication can render someone uncommunicative. Likewise, anxiety and depression can cause patients to withdraw from speaking and human contact. An SLP has the experience and training to pinpoint the source of these problems and help to solve them.

Who We Help

Princeton Health Care Center emphasizes the physical, social and emotional rehabilitation of our residents, and our speech therapy program is just one of the ways we honor that commitment. Our state-of-the-art skilled nursing center is located in a tranquil setting that is still convenient to local healthcare providers as well as Princeton Community Hospital.