Keywords

aging, deglutition disorders, evidence-based medicine, speech-language pathology

 

Authors

  1. Suiter, Debra M. PhD
  2. Easterling, Caryn S. PhD

Abstract

More than 12% of the population of the United States is older than 65 years. Factors related to normal aging and a higher incidence of central nervous system diseases such as stroke, parkinsonism, and dementia in older adults increase the need for speech-language pathologists to responsibly seek and employ evidence-based treatment to rehabilitate dysphagia and allow patients to resume their quality of life. This article discusses the evidence that supports treatment techniques used in dysphagia rehabilitation.