Effects of language stimulation on cognition of institutionalized aged people: a preliminary case series study.

Ruttienya Dias Braga Da Cunha,Tayane Frez Pacheco,Simone Dos Santos Barreto

doi:10.1590/1980-57642021dn15-010015

Ruttienya Dias Braga Da Cunha, Tayane Frez Pacheco + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-57642021dn15-010015

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Abstract

ABSTRACT.Cognitive stimulation programs for institutionalized elderly people show positive results, however few studies have investigated the effectiveness of language stimulation programs for the health of this population.Objectives:To characterize the cognitive-linguistic profile of institutionalized elderly and to compare their performance before and after a language stimulation program (LSP).Methods:An exploratory case series study was conducted with nine residents of a Home for the Aged. Elderly people aged 60 or over, of both sexes, without neurological or neuropsychiatric diseases, communication disorders, intellectual impairment or severe visual or hearing impairment were included. The participants were submitted to an initial assessment through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Montreal Toulouse Battery Language Assessment – Brazil to characterize the cognitive-linguistic profile of the studied group. Five elderly were selected to participate in the LSP, of wich only two participated effectively in the program, but all were reassessed after the program was completed.Results:on the initial assessment, of the nine participants, only one had adequate cognitive performance and all presented changes in macro and/or microlinguistics aspects of oral discourse, with oral comprehension preserved. On the reassessment carried out with five participants, only two participants who adhered effectively to the program obtained improvements in MoCa scores. In regarding language, three participants performed better in the oral emission measures. The performance of the participants in oral comprehension remained or declined.Conclusion:The speech-language therapy intervention through a LSP contributes to improving the cognitive-linguistic performance of institutionalized elderly.

Highlights

I n the year 2050, the aged population in Brazil will be some 3.7 times greater than in 2000, standing at around 49 million.[1]
The speech-language therapy intervention through a language stimulation program (LSP) contributes to improving the cognitive-linguistic performance of institutionalized elderly
Most of the participants who underwent the initial assessment through Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa) performed less than expected

Summary

Introduction

I n the year 2050, the aged population in Brazil will be some 3.7 times greater than in 2000, standing at around 49 million.[1] This rise is due, among other factors, to the increased survival of the older population, as a result of improvements in health care for this group.[2]. The need for greater vigilance among this age group is clear, given the many challenges in providing this rapidly growing population with the chance of a healthy active old age.[3] One of these challenges is the burden families face in caring for older people in their own homes,[4] leading to an increased demand for homes for the aged. Communication must not be overlooked during assessment and follow-up of institutionalized elderly

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Conclusion