Speech, Language And Communication

Speech and language therapy – support with communication, and eating, drinking and swallowing

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) support people with memory problems, dementia, and related conditions, to live well by assessing their needs and delivering direct interventions to support communication, and eating, drinking and swallowing. SLTs also support and train other professionals to recognise dementia-related symptoms and to support each person as an individual.

Changes to communication are a common symptom of dementia. An inability to communicate effectively can result in frustration, low mood, reduced confidence and social withdrawal; it’s therefore increasingly being recognised that adequate support for communication is important. SLTs are uniquely qualified to assess an individual’s ability to understand and to communicate that understanding to optimise a person’s choice, degree of control and capacity to consent to treatment and care.
Furthermore, SLTs play an important role in the assessment and management of eating, drinking and swallowing problems (dysphagia). Dysphagia can result in malnutrition and dehydration, and can increase the risk of repeated chest infections, pneumonia and choking – adequate management aims to reduce these risks.

Within Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan a Speech and Language Therapist works as a member of the Memory Team. Referrals are accepted from any agency, including self-referral.

For further information contact:

Memory Team

3rd Floor, Routledge Academic Building, Llandough Hospital, Penlan Road. CF64 2XX
Tel: external 029 218 26975 or internal 26975
Working Days: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) Inpatients

Adult Speech & Language Therapy Office, Llandough Hospital, Penlan Road. CF64 2XX
Tel: external 029 218 25255 or internal 25255
Working Days: Thursday & Friday