In today’s episode, host Michelle sits down with hospital-based speech pathologist Cassandra Agius to explore the vital role speech pathologists play in supporting older adults. From communication challenges to swallowing difficulties, Cass shares her expertise in neurological rehabilitation and sheds light on how ageing impacts everyday functions we often take for granted.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke affect speech and swallowing, and how speech pathologists work alongside families and healthcare teams to improve quality of life. Cass explains the science behind swallowing, the importance of communication for independence, and the strategies that can make a real difference for older people and their carers.

In this episode:

1. The role of speech pathologists in supporting older adults
2. Swallowing difficulties explained
3. Communication challenges: clarity, comprehension, and word-finding
4. How natural ageing impacts speech, voice, and cognition
5. The sensory experience of eating and talking
6. Impact of dementia and Parkinson’s disease on communication and swallowing
7. Early warning signs of swallowing difficulties
8. Speech changes in Parkinson’s disease
9. Cognitive communication challenges in dementia
10. Strategies for families to assist communication
11. Swallowing assessments
12. Proactive steps older adults can take to maintain communication and swallowing

Connect with Cass Agius:

1. LinkedIn

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.