This week, we’re diving into one of the murkiest waters of SLP practice: cognitive interventions for people with dementia. When you hear “Well, can’t you just work on following directions?”—do you cry inside? Same. That’s why we’re unpacking a meta-analysis to give you the research-backed confidence to stand your ground.

We reviewed “Do cognitive interventions improve general cognition in dementia? A meta-analysis and meta-regression” by Huntley et al. to understand what works, what doesn’t, and what’s still unclear when it comes to treating dementia in a meaningful way. Spoiler alert: only treatment shown to have a positive impact on standardized testing, but there’s still a long way to go when it comes to proving quality-of-life improvements.

You’ll learn:

 The difference between Cognitive Therapy (CT), Cognitive Stimulation (CS), and Cognitive Rehabilitation (CR)

 What type of cognitive intervention showed the most promise in research

 Why “following directions” is not a valid treatment goal in moderate-severe dementia

 How to collaborate with your Activities Department to support patients meaningfully

 How to justify “eval-only” decisions 

 Tips for educating staff and advocating for appropriate referrals

 Why you might want to brush up on your group therapy policies

Articles Referenced:

Huntley, J.D., et al. Do cognitive interventions improve general cognition in dementia? A meta-analysis and meta-regression. BMJ Open, 2015

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Get ready to brush up on your oral care knowledge! 🦷 In this episode, Emily and Eva explore the world of oral hygiene products in SNF care—what works, what doesn’t, and what might actually be harmful. Whether you're an SLP, nurse, OT, or just really into responsible toothbrushing, listen up because this was made for you!

We break down the findings of the article “Hospital Mouth: Dental Aids May Cause Dental Erosion” by Meurman et al., which tested the impact of common oral care tools on dental health. Spoiler: not all swabs are created equal. Learn what to watch for in your patients with limited oral control, dry mouth, or persistent open oral posture, and how to adapt your practice with safety and dignity in mind.

You’ll learn:

 The pros and cons of different oral care products used in medical settings

 Why lemon-glycerin swabs might be more harmful than helpful

 How to adapt oral care routines for patients with dysphagia or reduced oral motor control

 How repeated exposure to citric acid can affect dental surfaces

 Creative ways to make oral care a functional part of dysphagia therapy

 Tips for collaborating with nursing and occupational therapy

 How to advocate for safer, patient-centered oral care supplies

Articles Cited:

Meurman, J.H. et al. Hospital Mouth: Dental Aids May Cause Dental Erosion.

Freebie:

Glycerin Swab In Service: Easily explain the benefits and differences between different types of oral care products! Share the usefulness of oral care tools and best practices easily with your team. 

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Instagram: @speechtalkpod

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In this episode, we dive into the importance of interdisciplinary communication and how tools like SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) can enhance patient safety and care quality. We explore findings from the research article "Impact of the communication and patient hand-off tool SBAR on patient safety: a systematic review" by Stock et al., and discuss how structured communication positively impacts teamwork, especially during handoffs and phone-based interactions.

We’ll also break down practical, real-world tips for clinicians to initiate referrals, recognize red flags, and collaborate more effectively across disciplines. If you’ve ever wondered when to phone a friend in healthcare—or how to make sure your message gets through—this one’s for you.

You’ll learn:

What the SBAR communication tool is and how it works

Research findings on SBAR's impact on patient safety

When and how to initiate interdisciplinary communication

Key clinical signs that warrant referrals or nurse involvement

How to improve collaboration with nurses, PTs, OTs, dietitians, and others

Practical tools and systems you can implement today to improve communication

Why knowing your patient’s baseline and your scope of practice matters

Articles Referenced:

Stock, R. et al. Impact of the communication and patient hand-off tool SBAR on patient safety: a systematic review.

Freebies!

SBAR In Service: Use this to explain and describe rationale for the communication form for yourself or other disciplines! This can be particularly helpful if you have suffered from communication break-downs previously to help your facility implement systematic ways to send and receive information. 

SBAR Fillable Form: Use this form to frame your communication with the interdisciplinary team in your facility! SBAR is outlined in a concise format to help you document changes in your patient to the proper channels while allowing you to physically document your communications. 

Get in Touch: [email protected]

Or Visit Us At: ⁠www.SpeechTalkPod.com⁠ 

Instagram: @speechtalkpod

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What does your oral mech exam really tell you? In this episode of Speech Talk, Eva and Emily get down and dirty (with tongue depressors, not drama) and explore why the phrase 'say ahh' is so iconic.

They cover what is a normal oral cavity for our geri crowd, how to link findings to clinical hypotheses, and how to improve your diagnostic skills even when patients can’t cooperate as much as you might like. 

If you’ve ever opened someone's mouth and wondered “...Is that normal?” This one’s for you

You’ll learn:

What the oral mech exam actually reveals (and what it doesn’t)

Common pitfalls: symmetry obsession, passive exams, and more

How to link oral mech findings to real clinical hypotheses

Normal vs …Definitely not normal oral structures

Why “ahh” is more than just a sound

Articles Referenced:

• ⁠Oral Health and Swallowing by Furuta and Yamashita⁠

Freebies:

• Oral Hygiene Protocol: Use this to get conversations rolling on best practices in oral care. Discuss this with the nurses and CNA to ensure that they know who and when to complete referrals to therapy as well as the importance of consistent oral hygiene. 

Get in Touch: [email protected]

Or Visit Us At: ⁠www.SpeechTalkPod.com⁠ 

Instagram: @speechtalkpod

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Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): what it is, how it shows up, and what SLPs can actually do about it. In this episode, Emily and Eva break down how MCI differs from moderate and advanced dementia, how to approach screening, and how to design meaningful therapy when patients are still “too high” for traditional treatment plans.

They share practical ideas for early intervention, motivational interviewing, and supporting independence—all with their signature mix of science and sass.

This episode is your crash course on being a better advocate for patients who fall through the cracks.

You’ll learn:

How to tell the difference between MCI and early dementia

Practical ideas for meaningful therapy when patients seem “too high”

How to screen effectively and choose the right cognitive tools

Functional treatment approaches for independence and safety

Why motivational interviewing belongs in your SLP toolkit

How to advocate for patients who mask their deficits

 Articles Cited:

 ⁠Comparative Efficacy of Seven Nonpharmacological Interventions on Global Cognition of Older Adults with and without Mild Cognitive impairment A Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Control Trials by Seok, J. W., Kim et. al⁠

Get in Touch: [email protected]

Or Visit Us At: ⁠www.SpeechTalkPod.com⁠ 

Instagram: @speechtalkpod

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To PEG or not to PEG? In this episode of Speech Talk, Emily and Eva confront the clinical gray zones around percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placements in older adults.

They unpack what PEG tubes actually do (and don’t do), their potential impact on malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia, and how to talk to families and care teams when emotions and ethics collide. You’ll also learn how to interpret key research on PEG tube outcomes and what guidelines say about feeding tubes in dementia.

No guilt, no judgment—just smart, compassionate guidance from two SLPs who’ve had those hard conversations many times before.

You’ll learn:

What PEG tubes actually do—and what they don’t

The research around PEG tubes and aspiration pneumonia

How malnutrition, cognitive status, and goals of care intersect

Conversation strategies for talking PEG with families and teams

What professional guidelines say about PEG tubes in dementia

How to navigate tricky ethical ground without losing compassion

Articles Cited:

⁠Rahnemai-Azar et. al. “Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: Indications, technique, complications and management⁠

Freebies: PEG Tube Badge Buddy

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Or Visit Us At: ⁠www.SpeechTalkPod.com⁠ 

Instagram: @speechtalkpod

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In honor of National Aphasia Awareness Month, we’re diving into a practical and research-supported tool that every clinician should know about—the Quick Aphasia Battery (QAB). If you’ve ever felt a little rusty when it comes to aphasia evaluation and treatment, this episode is for you. We break down the research by Lucanie et al., explain how the QAB can save you time while giving you a multidimensional view of language function, and discuss how to use it for goal writing and bridging the gap between screening and full evaluation. Plus, we reflect on why accessible, efficient tools like the QAB are exactly what clinicians need in fast-paced environments.

You’ll learn:

What aphasia is and how it affects communication

The 8 subtests included in the Quick Aphasia Battery (QAB)

How to use QAB results for goal setting and clinical documentation

Limitations and considerations when using the QAB

Where to access the QAB materials and automated scoring spreadsheet

Articles Cited:

Lucanie, M. et al. A Quick Aphasia Battery for Efficient, Reliable, and Multidimensional Assessment of Language Function.⁠

Resources:

⁠Quick Aphasia Battery Test Forms⁠

⁠Quick Aphasia Battery Scoring

Get in Touch: [email protected]

Or Visit Us At: ⁠www.SpeechTalkPod.com⁠ 

Instagram: @speechtalkpod

Part of the Human Content Podcast Network

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Dentures, dysphagia, and swallowing safety — how do they all connect?

In this first episode of Speech Talk, speech-language pathologists Eva Johnson and Emily Brady dive deep into the world of speech therapy for older adults, focusing on oral phase dysphagia, denture fit, and swallowing disorders in medically complex patients. Perfect for SLPs, SLP grad students, and anyone interested in speech therapy, aging, and oral health, this episode sets the tone for a show that’s research-driven, patient-focused, and deeply relatable.

You’ll learn:

Articles Cited:

Freebie: 

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Eva and Emily dig into the intersection of cognitive impairment and medication management in older adults. Based on the study by Gorodesky et al., they explore how common cognitive errors—like perception failures and rule-based mistakes—impact a patient’s ability to read pill bottles, open containers, and organize medications.

With hilarious patient stories and a toolbox of clinical tips (including the infamous pill-sorting task), this episode delivers realistic strategies for assessing med adherence, involving caregivers, and preventing rehospitalization.

This one’s a must-listen for SLPs in skilled nursing, rehab, or any transitional care setting.

You’ll learn:

Article Referenced:

Freebie:

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Two speech-language pathologists walk into a podcast. There’s no punchline, but for some reason we’re still laughing.

Emily and Eva embark on reading the research so you don’t have to. If you’ve ever squinted at a pillbox, questioned your own functional goals, or wondered how to sneak more clinical education into your life without actually reading a journal article… we got ya!

New episodes every other week-ish. Probably while you’re eating lunch in your car.

—

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Or Visit Us At: www.SpeechTalkPod.com

Produced by: Human Content

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