Book chapter
Speech-Language Pathologists, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and Palliative Care
Speech-Language Pathology and Palliative Care, pp.80-110
Routledge, 1st
2026
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
The palliative care process typically includes the person actively engaging in indicating their preferences and needs, but this can be challenging for those who have communication difficulties. Communication is an essential consideration for a person with a terminal illness approaching the end of their life. Communication difficulties may pose a significant barrier to implementation of the person's palliative care goals. Communication difficulties may exist prior to the palliative care phase or may exist in relation to their current diagnoses.
Supporting people to communicate during palliative care can include recommending Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). There are three distinct groups of people in the palliative care setting, who may benefit from AAC. Firstly, for a person who has previous communication impairment and may have used AAC as their main form of communication. Secondly, for a person who did not previously need AAC but now finds it difficult to communicate, and thirdly for those around the person who are communication partners who support the person to use AAC to communicate during this period of palliative care. This chapter will consider AAC options and explain the benefits and the processes involved for each of these distinct groups.
Details
- Title
- Speech-Language Pathologists, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and Palliative Care
- Creators
- Andy Smidt - Southern Cross University
- Contributors
- Laura Chahda (Editor) - Victoria UniversityBernice Ann Mathisen (Editor) - University of Southern QueenslandLindsay B Carey (Editor) - La Trobe University
- Publication Details
- Speech-Language Pathology and Palliative Care, pp.80-110
- Publisher
- Routledge; New York, NY
- Edition
- 1st
- Identifiers
- 991013328228702368
- Copyright
- © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Laura Chahda, Bernice A. Mathisen, and Lindsay B. Carey; individual chapters, the contributors.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter