By Will Bower 

Clinical assistant professor Laura Schmitt and a group of speech-language pathology (SLP) graduate students participated in a four-part workshop titled The Communication, Strategies, and Support of Persons Living with Dementia at the Chris & Suzy DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging and Dementia in Cedar Rapids. They were joined by Allison Prybil, Marcy Wymer, and Claire Peterson, all speech-language pathologists from Mercy, as well as Kathy Good, director of the DeWolf Center. The workshops were held on Oct. 10, 17, and 31, and Nov. 7. 

A conversation in early 2023 inspired the workshop. 

“This training all started with Sam McCord, who was a caregiver for his wife living with dementia,” Schmitt said. “He shared how helpful his daughter-in-law, a speech-language pathologist, had been in improving communication with his wife.” 

The workshop was structured around four main topics: memory, daily activities, cognitive-communication, and mood and sensory changes. Schmitt said graduate students led groups in cognitive-communication and memory, while speech-language pathologists from Mercy led groups in daily activities and mood and sensory changes. 

Schmitt said she worked with the graduate students for six weeks in preparation for the workshop. They researched communication and memory, developed materials, and came up with strategies for counseling. 

“I hope this experience has helped students see how speech-language pathologists can truly support individuals with dementia and their care partners,” Schmitt said. “I also hope it boosted their confidence in collaborating with care partners.” 

SLP graduate student Kayla Johnson took part in the workshop. She said it gave her a fresh perspective on the experiences of both care partners and those living with dementia. 

“The care partners know their loved one best,” Johnson said. “We as clinicians are trying to support them as best as we can.” 

Johnson said she hopes the workshop helped care partners feel a sense of community. 

“I hope they now have more people they can relate to, share their experiences with, and ask questions,” Johnson said. “I hope they also gained a sense of confidence in all of the great things they are already doing to support their loved one.” 

Schmitt said the response to the workshop has been positive.  

“It’s clear there’s a lot of interest in diving deeper into these areas,” Schmitt said. “We’d love to keep the conversation going and provide even more support where it's needed.” 

The Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Clinic offers individual evaluations and treatment sessions for individuals with dementia and their care partners.