LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - When a patient is recovering from a stroke or is dealing with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, treatment helping with their physical issues is often what we think of first. But those with Mercy Health's inpatient rehabilitation say that speech therapy is a big part of that process as well.
Speech language pathologist Amanda Recker says that she helps patents with their functional independence, being able to take their medications on their own, working on their speech, and swallowing, to name a few - things that aren't as visibly obvious.
"A lot of times, people are very worried about being able to get up and move because you want to be mobile, but beyond that, when you get back home, you get thrown back into life," said Recker. "All of the things that you need to do to function at home, to be able to make food, to be able to pay your bills, all of those sorts of things. I usually say speech language pathology works on everything the neck and up."
She adds that it's a rewarding process of being able to help patients get back to their every day lives.
"The biggest part of why I like what I do on the rehab floor is that I can see them early on, when they're struggling, when it's really difficult, and I can be there to help support them, kind of be the cheerleader, guide them in the direction that they need to to go to make progress, and then also see, as they get close to going home, what that looks like, the rewards, the improvements that they've made, and kind of really set them up for success, for going home," Recker said.
To get into this career path, Recker says that you'll need a four year undergraduate degree as well as a two years masters degree, typically in speech language pathology or communication disorders.
Around our area and a bit beyond, Bluffton University, Bowling Green State University, University of Toledo, University of Cincinnati, and the Ohio State University offer undergraduate and masters programs in speech pathology and communications disorders.
More information on Mercy Health St. Rita's inpatient rehab services can be found here.
