Speak Out April 2019

care facilities provide universities with a high volume of clients and opportunity to run a rich program of placements targeting the development of novice through to entry-level clinical skills. Students gain experience in cognitive-communication difficulties and have the opportunity to develop meaningful clinical relationships with consistent clients over the course of their placement. Conclusion Completing a placement in residential aged care provides students with,“very real insight into what happens in a totally uncontrived, uncontrollable environment; it is a great experience for them,” said Speech Pathologist Jill Lesic. Students learn to work in the residents’ “home” being mindful and respectful of other residents, family members, and staff while providing a diverse range of speech pathology programs. Positioning the speech pathology profession as a core and critical service for older people is integral in ensuring both a sustainable future for the profession and quality of life for older people who experience communication, swallowing, and mealtime difficulties. “...a placement in residential aged care provides students with,very real insight...” Setting up a successful aged care placement • Ensure there is a good relationship between the speech pathologist clinical educator and the facility. • Make sure there is ongoing and open communication between the speech pathologist and the university, and university support for both the students and the educator. • To support the integrity of the service ensure students are aware of the contractual nature of private services and the importance of conducting themselves in a respectful and mindful manner at all times. Ensure the placement is developed in partnership with the speech pathologist servicing the facility and facility management, to meet the needs of all stakeholders. • Plan ahead, seek consent for resident involvement prior to the commencement of the placement and ensure all stakeholders have the resources and information they need to support the placement well before the placement commences. Top tips Dr. Michelle Bennett, Amanda Dansky, Dr. Jill Lesic Aged Care Working Party Members

in your words...

Speech is not silver and nor is it gold A poem by Porsh Naidoo speech pathologist MSPA CPSP

“Speech is Silver but Silence is Gold”, A phrase I know well, many times I have been told, I disagree more as I grow old, Speech is not Silver, nor is it Gold, Speech is priceless and it cannot be sold. Speech is more than what we say, It is how we say it, in our own kind of way, Our tone, our pitch, our voice we use each day, Our tongue, our teeth, our lips help make the sounds we say, Speech is a gift we can never repay. Speech is fragile, this is important to know, Just as it comes unexpectedly, so too it can go, Even if it stays, it can slur and it can slow, Or if we rush it, we can disrupt its flow, So look after your speech and it will show. Appreciate not just the ‘what’ but also the ‘how’, Listen to the words and enjoy the sounds, Speech is a melody that we create out loud, We are gifted in this way and so too, we should be proud.

Speech is not Silver and nor is it Gold, Speech is a gift for all, the young and the old.

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April 2019 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out