Language in Dementia

This book examines language and communication in clients with cognitive impairment and dementia and the treatment of these clients by speech-language pathologists, using real examples of language from individuals with neurodegenerative disorders. It is written for all medical and health professionals involved in the clinical management of dementia.

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Dementia is a devastating condition, with profound cognitive changes affecting every aspect of an individual's functioning. The loss of communication is one symptom above others that causes distress and impacts negatively on quality of life, yet it is still one of the least understood aspects of dementia. This book undertakes a comprehensive examination of language and communication in individuals with cognitive impairment and dementia. Each chapter covers a specific neurodegenerative disorder, and addresses the epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, prognosis and clinical features, along with the assessment and treatment of these disorders by speech-language pathologists. Many examples of language from individuals with neurodegenerative conditions are included, to explain clearly the effects of dementia on communication, and there are exercises at the end of each chapter, to develop language analysis skills. The book is suitable reading for all medical and health professionals, including speech-language pathologists, clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists, geriatricians, neurologists and psychiatrists.