​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​To help people with speech and language disabilities (SLDs), it is important for healthcare providers to:​​​​​​​

• make sure the client has the supports and communication tools needed to successfully communicate while in the hospital
• plan on spending extra time if the cl​ient has a slow rate or method of communicating​
• get the right admission information from the client or the person chosen by the client to speak on his or her behalf
• include information in the client's file about how the client prefers to communicate and what the client needs to understand what is being said and have their messages understood accurately
• find out if the client needs help reading, understanding, and completing written forms and documents
• find out how the client can give informed consent to treatment, advance care directives, and other health law documents
• watch for, monitor, and adapt to changes in the clients’ communication needs due to changes in their stamina, alertness, and physical positioning during treatment
• make sure clients can reach and use n​urse call bells and alert systems
• make sure signs are easy to understand and are at a level that people who use wheelchairs can see
• make a referral to Spe​ech-Language Pathology (SLP) if the client needs extra communication methods and supports
• provide other ways to contact the service (e.g., text, email) instead of telephone
• ​be prepared to provide communication methods and trained assistants to make sure clients can fully understand and can communicate about:
  • their ability to make decisions for themselves (capacity assessments)
  • who they have chosen to make decisions or to support decision making
  • consent to treatment​
  • advance ​care and end of life directives

Credits: Adapted from Communication Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC)​