The Role of the Speech Language Pathologist in Dementia Care

This presentation will highlight themes within the dementia population and the roles and responsibilities of the Speech Pathologist as part of the interdisciplinary team. Speech Language Pathologists are often consulted on this population once signs and symptoms have become severe, resulting in missed opportunities to assist in slowing the progression of the disease earlier in the diagnosis.  Additionally, Speech Language Pathologists are often the first provider to see warning signs, which puts us in a unique position to refer patients appropriately.

Nicole Westphal, M.A. CCC-SLP, CDP is the Chief of the Speech Language Pathology section at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System.  Her primary clinical responsibilities take place at the St. Alban's Community Living Center where she works with veterans who have a variety of disabilities across the geriatric population.  Her administrative responsibilities include long-term care management, as well as supervising staff within the medical centers.  Nicole has a…