2/24/10

Therapist: Maria
Patient: B.
Diagnosis: Parkinson's for 11 years. Trouble finding lung strength to support full sentences. Words come out in low mumble that are extremely difficult to understand.
Session:

• B. Reads phrases
• Maria will repeat the phrases back to the patients to make sure that she is comprehending them correctly.
  
• If the patient is unsuccessfully addressing the phrases, she will remind him to take a deep breath and produce the air from the stomach.
  
• Incentive Sperometer
• This device is used in hospitals to keep fluid out of lungs.
• Maria uses it to build lung strength.
• The purpose is for the patient to hold the ball in the air by blowing through the hose apparatus. Maria will advise him to take deep breaths before trying to do it again.
  

The patient's wife was present at this session. Maria used this opportunity to explain to the wife what exactly she needed to be working with the patient on so that his communication skills would improve.