| CODE | CMT3036 | ||||||
| TITLE | Language and the Elderly | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Communication Therapy | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit addresses the area of communication in ageing with emphasis on the typical changes that may occur with increasing age.The students are introduced to the unit by looking at the general changes that are associated with ageing, and how these changes may influence ageing individuals' speech, voice, language and social communication. Strategies to overcome breakdown in communication in ageing are highlighted. Disorders which may affect communication during ageing are, then, explained, with special emphasis on Dementia. Different types of dementia are presented. The role of the Speech Language Pathologist working with ageing persons is addressed. This study-unit also focuses on assessment of and intervention for communication disorders in ageing individuals, with special focus on persons with dementia. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims to provide sound theoretical knowledge of the nature of the typical neurological, cognitive, sensory-perceptual changes that are associated with ageing. It highlights the effects of these changes on the ability to communicate. It also aims to explain the communicative disorders which may affect individuals as they age, with particular emphasis on dementia. In addition to theoretical knowledge it aims to provide a clinical perspective to working with older persons. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Appreciate and understand the concept of "personhood" in the ageing population; - Understand the characteristic changes that may occur in the speech, language, voice and social communication skills of typically ageing individuals; - Understand the role of the Speech Language Pathologist working with ageing persons; - Understand different strategies to overcome breakdown in communication in ageing; - Understand cognitive communication disorders associated with dementia; - Define and describe the features associated with different types of dementia and different stages of dementia; - Understand general principles of assessment of communication in ageing; - Understand and utilise communication assessment procedures for older persons; - Understand and utilise different approaches to intervention in dementia; - Understand the key concepts associated with a quality of life approach to intervention; and - Understand the psychosocial impact of communication disorders and eating and drinking disorders on the ageing individual and his/her family/carers. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Differentiate between typical communication in ageing and communication disorders in ageing individuals; - Adopt and recommend specific strategies to overcome breakdown in communication in ageing; - Make essential clinical decisions regarding appropriate assessment procedures, depending on individual persons' needs; - Plan and implement management plans and intervention strategies for persons with cognitive communication disorders. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Allan, K. (2006). Environmental and team approaches to communication in the dementias. In K. Bryan & J. Maxim (Eds.), Communication Disability in the Dementias (pp. 184 – 200). Sussex, England: Whurr - Am Zehnhoff-Dinnesen , A., Angerstein, W. and Deuster, D. (2010) “Communication disorders in the elderly” Audiological Medicine 8: 184 – 190 - Bayles, K., & Tomoeda, C. (2005). Cognitive-communication disorders of dementia. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishers - Burke, D. M. and Shafto, M.A. (2004). Aging and Language Production. Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 13(1): 21–24 - Chapey, R. (ed.). (2008). Language Intervention Strategies in Aphasia and Related Neurogenic Communication Disorders. (5th ed.) Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins - Dabul, B. L. (2000). Apraxia Battery for Adults (2nd ed.). Austin, Texas: PRO-ED - Duffy, J. R. (2012). Motor Speech Disorders: Substrates, Differential Diagnosis, and Management. Missouri: Mosby - Enderby, P., John, A., & Petheram, B. (2006). Therapy outcome measures for rehabilitation professionals. (2nd ed.). West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. - Enderby, P. & Palmer, R. (2008). Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment. (2nd ed.). Philedelphia: PRO-ED - Helm-Estabrooks, N. and Albert, M.L. (2004). Manual of Aphasia and Aphasia Therapy. (2nd ed). Austin, Texas: PRO-ED - Kitwood, T. (1997). Dementia Reconsidered: the person comes first. United Kingdom: Open University Press - Kremen, W. S., Lachman, M. E., Pruessner, J. C., Sliwinski, M. & Wilson, R. S. (2012). Mechanisms of Age-Related Cognitive Change and Targets for Intervention: Social Interactions and Stress. Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences, 67 (7), 760-765 - Mackenzie, C. (2000) “Adult spoken discourse: the influences of age and education. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders 35 (2), 269-285 - Mackenzie, P. (2012) Normal changes of ageing. Innovait, 5(10), 605 - 613 - Maxim (2009) Ageing and Language. In: Bryan, K, (ed.) Communication in Healthcare. (67 - 100).Oxford: Peter Lang - Nam H. M., Eun, J. S. and Sok, S. R. (2012). Factors influencing the successful aging of older Korean adults”. Contemporary Nurse, 41(1), 78–87 - National Statistics Office (2012) Census of Population and Housing 2011, Preliminary Report. Valletta, available: http://www.nso.gov.mt/statdoc/document_ file.aspx?id=3424 - Papathanasiou, I., Coppens, P. and Potagas, C. (eds.) (2012) Aphasia and related Communication Disorders. Burlington: Jones and Bartlett Publishers - Shipley, K. G. and McAfee, J. G. (2009) Assessment in speech-language pathology : a resource manual. (4th ed.). Albany: Delmar Cengage Learning - Whitworth, A., Webster, J. and Howard, D. (2005). A Cognitive Neuropsychological Approach to Assessment and Intervention in Aphasia, East Sussex: Psychology Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Kenneth Delia Helen Fiorini Ritienne Grima |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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