Through this specific course, students will become familiar with changes in communication skills (verbal and non-verbal) of the elderly people.  In particular how communication skills are affected by health problems in the aging process, such as: cognitive disorders-dementia, depression, vascular disorders of the brain, etc. Students will be informed about communication disorders that are mainly due to neurodegenerative disorders, about their etiological background and the methods of their pharmaceutical and non-pharmacological treatment. Through this course they will acquire resources that will allow them as speech therapists to properly handle cognitive disorders communication to the elderly and to contribute to their rehabilitation programs.

• Efficient search, analysis, and synthesis of data and information using the essential technologies
• Knowledge of assessment of cognitive and language disorders in degenerative diseases.
• Respect for diversity and multiculturalism

LECTURES

• Communication disorders in the elderly: introduction,  definitions
• Cognitive Functions and Communication Disorders (CD): Memory and CD, Language and CD, Executive Functions and CD, Neuroimaging Findings in CD
• Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Introduction, Prevalence, Diagnostic criteria,
• Clinical Characteristics, Neuropsychological functions, Language function, CD Transition to Dementia
• Alzheimer's disease (NA); Introduction, Prevalence, Risk factors for developing AD, Diagnostic criteria, Clinical features, Neuropsychological functions in NA in the various stages, Language function in NA in the various stages.
• Down Syndrome (DS) and Dementia. Introduction, Clinical features, Risk factors for developing AD in DS, Diagnosis of Dementia in people with DS, Neuropsychological and language functions in people with DS, Studies of Cognitive Communication Disorders
• Vascular Dementia (VD); Introduction, Neuropathology, Risk factors for developing VD , Diagnostic criteria, Clinical features, Neuropsychological and linguistic functions Cognitive Communication Disorders

Writing Examination (100%)

• Multiple choice tests.
• Short answer questions.

- Suggested bibliography:

• Bayles, K., McCullough, K., & Tomoeda, C. K. (2018). Cognitive-communication disorders of MCI and dementia: Definition, assessment, and clinical management. Plural Publishing.

- Related academic journals:

• Tweed, T., van Eijden, Y., Tegels, J., Brenkman, H., Ruurda, J., van Hillegersberg, R., ... & Stoot, J. (2019). Safety and efficacy of early oral feeding for enhanced recovery following gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A systematic review. Surgical oncology, 28, 88-95.
• Printza, A., Triaridis, S., Kalaitzi, M., Nikolaidis, I., Bakirtzis, C., Constantinidis, J., & Grigoriadis, N. (2019). Dysphagia prevalence, attitudes, and related quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis. Dysphagia, 1-8.
• Burton, R. L., & O'Connell, M. E. (2018). Telehealth Rehabilitation for Cognitive Impairment: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial. JMIR research protocols, 7(2), e43. https://doi.org/10.2196/resprot.9420
• Cacciante, L., Kiper, P., Garzon, M., Baldan, F., Federico, S., Turolla, A., & Agostini, M. (2021a). Telerehabilitation for people with aphasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of communication disorders, 92, 106111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2021.106111  
• Jelcic, N., Agostini, M., Meneghello, F., Bussè, C., Parise, S., Galano, A., Tonin, P., Dam, M., & Cagnin, A. (2014). Feasibility and efficacy of cognitive telerehabilitation in early Alzheimer's disease: a pilot study. Clinical interventions in aging, 9, 1605–1611. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S68145
• Nousia, A., Martzoukou, M., Siokas, V., Aretouli, E., Aloizou, A. M., Folia, V., ... & Dardiotis, E. (2021). Beneficial effect of computer-based multidomain cognitive training in patients with mild cognitive impairment. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult, 28(6), 717-726.
• Nousia, A., Siokas, V., Aretouli, E., Messinis, L., Aloizou, A. M., Martzoukou, M., ... & Dardiotis, E. (2018). Beneficial effect of multidomain cognitive training on the neuropsychological performance of patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Neural plasticity, 2018. 

https://eclass.uop.gr/courses/3316/