Speech therapy helps improve communication and swallowing skills, addressing the needs of many older adults recovering from stroke, neurological disease, or dementia. While it is difficult for the patient, it can also be difficult for those around them trying to support their recovery. Supporting a loved one who requires speech therapy can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can make a significant difference in their progress. If you have a loved one who is participating in at-home speech therapy, read on to explore practical tips to help support them while fostering a positive and motivating atmosphere. 

At Summit Home Care, we understand that high-quality professional medical care within your home is vital for successful speech therapy outcomes. Our licensed therapists and nurses are specialists in fields like neurology and orthopedics and deliver world-class, concierge-level services by collaborating closely with physicians to create personalized therapy plans within the comfort of your home. Our dedicated team ensures that your loved one receives compassionate, expert care without having to travel a long distance to hospitals or care centers. 

Benefits of At-Home Speech Therapy

Bringing speech therapy into the home brings numerous advantages. Clients often feel more relaxed and motivated when practicing in familiar surroundings and with people who make them feel comfortable, which can accelerate progress. Regular sessions integrated throughout daily routines help reinforce skills more effectively and allow family members to provide consistent encouragement and feedback. 

Practicing simple speech exercises daily can reinforce progress. Licensed therapists often recommend tasks like: 

  • Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises: This exercise requires taking slow, deep breaths into the belly, holding briefly, then exhaling slowly. This improves breath control for speech. 
  • Vocal Exercises: These exercises include humming, singing scales, or reading aloud slowly. It warms up the vocal cords, improves voice strength, and enhances clarity. 
  • Lip and Tongue Exercises: These exercises require repeatedly pressing the tongue to the roof of the mouth or alternating between a side smile and a puckered mouth. These exercises strengthen facial muscles, which are important for clear speech. 
  • Cognitive-Linguistic Games: Playing word games, naming categories of items, or memory puzzles can engage the mind with language that supports overall communication. 

How You Can Provide Support

Helping a loved one practice speech therapy exercises at home can make a big difference. Here are some tips from experts to make sessions more effective: 

Create a Supportive Practice Environment

A well-organized, distraction-free space is key for productive at-home practice. A calm room with good lighting, minimal background noise, and comfortable seating will help your loved one focus on their important speech therapy exercises. Keep therapy materials, like picture cards or reading passages, within easy reach. Establishing a consistent schedule helps develop a routine that will reinforce exercises as they are regularly practiced and become muscle memory. Positive reinforcement, such as praise or small rewards, boosts motivation and makes sessions more enjoyable. 

Incorporate Speech Therapy in Daily Activities

Integrating speech therapy exercises into everyday activities helps reinforce learning. Join patients as they practice tongue or lip exercises to reduce embarrassment. Practice along with loved ones by encouraging clear pronunciation of food items at meal times. Sing songs while you clean or travel, to work on pacing and rhythm. Simple games like “I Spy” or rhyming challenges can truly make practice feel like play. 

Utilize Technology

Modern apps and online resources can complement and reinforce traditional exercises. Interactive apps provide instant feedback on articulation and have games and activities that do not feel like therapeutic exercises. Teletherapy platforms allow for remote check-ins from Summit Home Care’s licensed professionals for advice and to track progress. 

Track Progress and Celebrate Milestones

Keeping a therapy journal or having a whiteboard listing daily achievements can be incredibly motivating. Setting realistic and measurable goals and reviewing progress at the end of each week establishes a routine. Celebrating milestones with favorite activities or small treats reinforces positive behavior and shows loved ones that their hard work is noticed and valued. Using audio and visual recordings from the start of therapy and each month will show gradual improvement and will boost confidence for the patient, caregivers, and family members. 

Contact Summit Home Care today to schedule an in-home speech therapy consultation. Visit us online or call us at (614) 866-8158 to get your loved ones the speech therapy they need. 

Collaborate with Professionals for Optimal Progress

While at-home practice is important, professional direction ensures that workouts are both safe and effective. Regular check-ins with a professional speech-language pathologist allow you to track your loved one’s progress and alter their goals as necessary. Summit Home Care’s multidisciplinary professionals, including occupational, physical, and speech therapists, collaborate to provide comprehensive care for your loved one. This collaborative methodology eliminates communication barriers between providers and families, resulting in seamless assistance.

Partner with Summit for At-Home Speech Therapy 

Summit Home Care’s mission is to improve our patients’ quality of life by promoting safe independence. Headquartered in Columbus with locations across Ohio, Summit Home Care delivers world-class, concierge-level specialty care right in the comfort of our patients’ homes. With our licensed specialists, personalized treatment plans, and rapid 24/7 support, families in Ohio rely on us to provide dedicated medical care for their loved ones. Let Summit Home Care show you how our services can empower your loved one to live independently and achieve their goals. 

Ready to help your loved one regain their voice? Schedule an in-home speech therapy evaluation with Summit Home Care today by visiting us online or calling us at (614) 866-8158.