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GERIATRIC COMMUNICATION CONSULTANT Kathryn Kilpatrick, M.A. CCC/SLPNEEDS ASSESSMENT Specializing in helping family, friends and caregivers handle some
of the concerns they may have about their loved one who is aging.
Make one call now, to save yourself numerous calls later
to address issues such as:
- Is this normal aging?
- Where do we begin?
- How do we talk to our aging loved ones?
- How can I say things in a better way?
- What if they refuse to discuss your concerns?
- What if the older adult is in denial?
- What if someone in the family is in denial or does not want to be involved?
- How do we begin those difficult conversations?
- What suggestions would help our family meeting be more productive?
- What is the best approach when some of the family lives out of town?
- What are some of our options for services?
- What resources are available?
- How do we create independence with safety?
- What if the older adult is refusing any help?
- What if we are concerned about the older adult’s safety when driving?
- How can we be proactive and avoid making choices in a crisis?
- What are some tips for communicating with someone who is hard of hearing?
- How can I best communicate when someone is having problems with their memory?
- How do we best communicate our concerns with the doctor? What are some of the questions we should ask?
- What ideas do you have for my loved one who appears to be more withdrawn and/or isolated?
- Do you have ideas of things we can do when we are visiting? For the children?
For those who live out of town? How can we enhance the quality of the life as their situation changes?
Contact Kathryn Kilpatrick for an in-depth, personalized plan of action. REFERENCE LETTER Telephone consultation (fees based on time spent).
Home visits are also available (fees will depend on location).
Call 330-650-1958 or email kathy@connectionsincommunication.com 
REFERENCE LETTER - GERIATRIC COMMUNICATION CONSULTING Regarding a private consultation January 2008 for a man
2 yrs post CVA with receptive and expressive aphasia We are already seeing positive results in our attitudes and practice as we begin to implement the program. We have given hints and suggestions to nurses and aides and they are assisting us. My husband’s 2 sisters have come along side. Most of all - my husband is much more at ease and participating. Putting your ideas and plans out on our family web page has gotten families off to a great start in helping us! With great appreciation ~ D.S.
TYPICAL RECOMMENDATIONS Older adult was experiencing forgetfulness and wanted to stay in his senior apartment complex. His family was concerned about some of the problems he was having when handling some of his daily activities. - Completed an assessment to determine which areas were potentially a problem
- Set up a system to simplify his bill paying
- Developed a system to allow him to continue to prepare some of his meals safely
- Developed a system for him to keep track of important information
- Made recommendations to consider after these things were in place and a re-evaluation was completed
Senior assisted living had several residents who had poor oral intake or frequent coughing episodes at meals. Another resident needed a speech consultation for swallowing strategies and meal recommendations. - Swallowing evaluation and treatment program initiated and staff education provided for meal preparation suggestions on the modified diet level
- Inservice program for entire staff
- Presented a CEU program sponsored by the facility at a local hospital addressing Swallowing Concerns of the Older Adult.
- Explained the services this assisted facility could offer to patients upon discharge from the hospital
Contacted by the friends of an older woman living alone who had a stroke several years ago. Things they wanted to address: - Safety in the kitchen
- Activities to do during the day
- Community resources
- Communication tips since she has limited verbal skills
- Emergency phone recommendations
Former patient’s family wanted suggestions to enhance her day to day interactions now that therapy had been discontinued - Discussed how to modify some of her favorite activities to her current level of functioning for increased family interaction
- Trained the hired caregiver in communication strategies and activities to do during her 12 hrs a week
- Developed speech production exercise program to maximize her verbal skills
Daughter concerned with her mother’s safety after repeated falls and continued memory loss - Did an assessment to give family a better understanding of what strategies to use to maximize her memory
- Recommended a physical therapy assessment
- Recommended hiring a companion service for 2 or 3 days a week for a few hours since the older adult stated she was lonesome and bored.
- Trained companion on how to maximize communication and which activities might be most appropriate and how to modify
- Recommended a geriatric assessment and checking local adult day programs
Spouse wanted specific communication strategies to enhance communication with his wife whose Alzheimer’s disease now made her expression of basic needs more frustrating - Completed a screening of wife’s communication functioning
- Suggested ways to modify communication
- Suggested activities to enhance the time spent together
- Developed a communication chart of basic needs
Two siblings were concerned about their mom’s safety and were not in agreement with what needed to be done (phone consultation) - Based on some of their reports of many inconsistent behaviors, it was recommended that they seek a geriatric assessment since it appears there may be some inconsistent but serious memory issues
- Suggested contacting Elder Law Attorney
- Suggested contacting their local Alzheimer’s Association
- Recommended they make her doctor aware of their concerns
ONLINE COURSES MEMORY - 2 PART HEARING - 2 PART
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