Zaburzenia funkcji językowych w chorobach i zespołach otępiennych. Rola i cele logopedii wieku podeszłego
Disorders of linguistic functions in dementia-related diseases and conditions. The role and goals of logopaedics of the elderly

Summary/Abstract: The initial part of this paper presents the clinical picture of selected dementia-related diseases and conditions, with particular consideration given to language disorders. The specifi city of speech and language disorders in Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Pick’s disease and primary progressive aphasia is discussed. The second part of this paper presents the challenges to be faced soon by logopaedics of the elderly, called gerontologopaedics. Currently, ca. 450–500 thousand people suffer from dementia, including ca. 300–350 thousand individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. It is estimated that ca. 1.2 million Poles will suffer from the disease in 2035. Practice proves that speech therapy makes sense in the case of dementia-related diseases and conditions. Despite the undoubtedly difficult therapeutic situation – which arises from adverse prognosis, frequent lack of motivation in the patient, etc. – therapeutic activities oriented towards broadly defined communicative activation of the patient should be taken. This is because they increase the patient’s chances for preserving his or her linguistic and cognitive skills at a relatively high level. Yet, the state is not prepared for ensuring institutional care to the group of patients, which enlarges year after year.

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