Abstract

Dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative condition affecting millions globally, with speech and language pathologists (SLPs) playing crucial roles in assessment, intervention, and management. Despite their significance, practicing SLPs frequently report inadequate knowledge and awareness regarding dementia care. This study aimed to investigate the beliefs, knowledge, and contemporary practices of SLPs in dementia management. A web-based survey was administered to 55 speech and language pathologists across India, assessing their demographic characteristics, awareness of diagnostic and screening tools, therapeutic approaches, use of technology, and perceived challenges in practice. Results indicated that 76.4% of respondents were working professionals, with 78.2% holding postgraduate qualifications. Screening tools such as MMSE and MoCA were utilized by over 80% of participants, while the recently developed ICMR Neurocognitive Toolbox remained unknown to 80% of respondents. Majority of participants (60%) employed blended therapeutic approaches combining techniques from different theoretical frameworks. Regarding alternative medicine, 43.6% believed that combined allopathy with speech-language therapy was beneficial for dementia management. Key challenges identified included poor patient motivation, insufficient clinical exposure, and memoryrelated difficulties in patients. The findings underscore the necessity for enhanced awareness and training programs regarding evidence-based diagnostic tools, contemporary therapeutic approaches, and the emerging role of assistive technologies in dementia care. This research has significant implications for professional development, curriculum planning, and future strategic initiatives in supporting individuals with dementia across diverse healthcare settings.

Keywords

dementia, speech-language pathology, survey study, clinical practices, therapeutic approaches