The SLP & Palliative Care: Part I

Introduction:

As the average life expectancy increases, the growth of the elderly population will have an impact on medical care. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “by 2029, when all of the baby boomers will be 65 years and older, more than 20 percent of the total U.S. population will be over the age of 65” (Colby & Ortman, 2014, p.1). In addition, as the population ages and the prevalence of chronic illnesses continues to rise, medical care becomes more complex (Mahendra & Alonso, 2020). Patients battling chronic or terminal illness(es) will benefit from a comprehensive, interdisciplinary palliative care team approach to promote and improve their quality of life.

Resources: