Gerontology and Communication Disorders: A Model for Training Clinicians

This article addresses the need for speech pathologists and audiologists to develop knowledgeable awareness of primary and secondary health factors that affect the aging population. The inter‐relationship between normal age‐rated changes and pathological aging is not always clear. Factors that affect diagnosis can be physical, sensory, or cognitive in nature. The role of the clinician as a facilitator for providing management approaches and services to the elderly and their families is defined. The utilization of contributing physical, social, and psychological factors is considered in developing serviceable programs for the older person in our society.