A Self Therapy Manual in English for Speech and Swallowing Difficulties in Persons with Parkinson's Diseases (PsWPD)

Abstract

The advancements in the field of medical tourism in India have not yet found its roots in the remote society of the country. The motoric, cognitive, psychological, social and financial limitations of Persons with Parkinson 's disease (PsWPD) and the requirement on the part of the family members to attend to regular long term management has given rise to the need for a self therapy manual for speech and swallowing difficulties of Ps WPD. This self therapy manual is offered as a practical guide that includes general information about Parkinson 's disease, answers to the most frequently asked questions by the PsWPD and their family members and also includes sections of most useful, practical, effective and easy to do muscle training exercises to improve the speech and swallowing problems in this population of clients. Also, information on augmentative and alternative communication methods and compensatory swallowing maneuvers are provided The final section of this manual consists of a list of hospitals and specialized centers for medical and non medical management of Parkinson 's disease and the contact numbers of these centers.