Reflecting on the Links Between Literacy and Dementia

Each year as International Alzheimer’s Day  on September 21 (today) follows closely after International Literacy Day on September 8, I think about dementia and literacy. Specifically, I consider how people with cognitive impairments may—in addition to more widely publicized social deficits—also lose their ability to read. I also think of adults who are illiterate and how that might relate to the onset of dementia. As a speech-language pathologist who consults in neuropsychology at Alzheimer’s Day Care Center in Rabat, Morocco, I wanted to take advantage of the calendar connection linking these international awareness days. Here are my thoughts about this month. In a world in which at least 758 million adults still lack basic literacy skills, this year International Literacy Day was celebrated across the world under the theme of “Literacy in a Digital World.” In this context, I noted how SLPs often use digital literacy tools to help patients with Alzheimer’s disease maintain communication and social skills. Meanwhile, the impact of World Alzheimer’s Day is growing. However, the stigmatization surrounding dementia remains a global problem requiring global action. Awareness about this degenerative and irreversible disorder helps everyone understand and care for patients and loved ones who have Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. SLPs can raise awareness about ways we can serve these patients and offer tips to caregivers on methods to enhance t...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Tags: Speech-Language Pathology Alzheimer's dementia Language Disorders literacy Source Type: blogs