THE ROLE OF THE SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST IN THE REHABILITATION OF ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH TRACHEOSTOMIES IN A HOSPITAL SETTING

Abstract

The role of the speech-language pathologist in the rehabilitation of elderly patients with tracheostomies in a hospital setting constitutes a relevant field of care, as it involves swallowing, communication, decannulation, and functionality. This study is limited to the analysis of speech-language pathology intervention with hospitalized elderly patients with tracheostomies, with emphasis on clinical assessment, therapeutic approaches, and strategies aimed at swallowing rehabilitation, safe return to oral feeding, and improved quality of life. The objective is to analyze the role of the speech-language pathologist in the rehabilitation of elderly patients with tracheostomies in a hospital setting, identifying the main assessment resources, discussing therapeutic possibilities, and examining their contributions to functional recovery and food security. This is a bibliographic research study, with a qualitative approach, applied nature, and exploratory-descriptive objective, developed through the collection, selection, reading, and critical analysis of scientific studies on tracheostomy, speech-language pathology rehabilitation, swallowing, and hospital care for the elderly. The results indicate that speech-language pathology intervention contributes to the early identification of swallowing and communication disorders, to the definition of safe feeding practices, and to the advancement of the rehabilitation and decannulation process. It is concluded that speech-language pathology follow-up, when integrated into the multidisciplinary team and adjusted to the elderly patient's clinical conditions, promotes functional recovery, food security, and quality of life during hospitalization.