Parkinson's

Swallowing

Over 80% of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience swallowing difficulties at some point during the course of the disease.

Did you know that aspiration pneumonia is the most common cause of death in people with Parkinson’s disease? Swallowing difficulties can increase the risk, which is why early evaluation and therapy are so important for safety and overall health.

Don't wait, evaluate!

Research shows that individuals with Parkinson’s disease who receive a swallowing assessment and therapy early are able to maintain their swallowing abilities longer. Early intervention can greatly reduce the risk of complications such as aspiration pneumonia, dehydration, and weight loss, while also supporting overall health, safety, and quality of life.

Even if swallowing feels only mildly difficult right now, it’s important to schedule an evaluation as soon as possible.

How do I know if I'm having swallowing difficulty?

Choking/coughing while eating or drinking.
Avoiding foods because they are difficult to swallow such as bread, meat, rice, or fibrous vegetables.
Altering your food textures (e.g., cutting into tiny pieces, only eating soft foods, blending etc.).
Difficulty swallowing pills.
Stuck sensation in the throat.
Abnormally slow eating.

Unintentional weight loss

How can we help?

At Sagebrush Speech Therapy, our goal is to help you stay safe, independent, and confident when eating and drinking.

We work with individuals with Parkinson’s disease to:

Reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia through targeted swallowing therapy and education.
Prevent further decline in swallowing function with early intervention and ongoing support.
Improve swallowing strength and safety using individualized exercise programs—like physical therapy for your mouth and throat muscles—and practical, evidence-based strategies that make swallowing easier and more efficient.

Early therapy makes a big difference. If you’ve noticed coughing, throat clearing, or difficulty swallowing, it’s time to schedule a swallowing assessment with one of our speech-language pathologists.

Swallowing

About

Speech + Voice

Approximately 89% of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience some form of speech/voice disorder during the course of the disease.

Our Clinic

Don't wait, evaluate!

Specializing in cognitive therapy for mild cognitive impairment, we help individuals improve cognitive functions and enhance quality of life.

The sooner a person with PD receives speech therapy the more they are able to:

Preserve communication skills
Slow the deterioration of speech AND swallowing abilities
Enhance their quality of life
Compensate for speech and voice difficulties

Specialized Speech and Voice Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

At Sagebrush Speech Therapy, our clinicians are specially trained in evidence-based programs designed to help people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) improve their speech and voice.

Shannon and Allison are certified in SPEAK OUT!, a highly effective speech and voice program developed specifically for individuals with Parkinson’s. Kris, another skilled speech-language pathologist on our team, is certified in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®).

Both SPEAK OUT! and LSVT LOUD® are recognized as gold-standard therapies for improving vocal loudness, clarity, and communication confidence in people with PD.

SPEAK OUT! info

LSVT LOUD info

What are signs of speech and voice difficulty?

Many people with Parkinson’s notice gradual changes in their speech and voice. You may experience:

A quiet, monotone, breathy, or hoarse voice
Slurred or mumbled speech that’s harder for others to understand
Your partner or family mentioning they can’t hear you well
Difficulty being heard in places with background noise, such as restaurants or group settings
These changes are common—but they’re also highly treatable with specialized speech and voice therapy. Early intervention can make speaking feel easier, louder, and more natural again.

How can speech therapy help?

Speech therapy can make a meaningful difference for people with Parkinson’s disease who are experiencing changes in their voice or speech. Through specialized, evidence-based programs such as SPEAK OUT! and LSVT LOUD®, our certified speech-language pathologists help you:

Increase vocal loudness and improve speech clarity
Strengthen the muscles used for speaking and swallowing
Enhance confidence when communicating with family, friends, and in public
Preserve communication abilities for as long as possible

Therapy focuses on exercises that feel like physical therapy for your voice—targeting strength, breath support, and intentional speech patterns. With consistent practice, you can regain a stronger, clearer voice and feel more confident expressing yourself every day.

1. Slow Cognitive Decline

The therapy we provide can help slow the progression of communication difficulties by strengthening existing language abilities and cognitive skills before significant decline occurs. Studies suggest that engaging in cognitive-communication therapy before symptoms become severe leads to better long-term outcomes.

2. Improve Communication

We work with individuals and care partners to develop strategies to improve communication. These strategies help maintain effective communication for as long as possible.

3. Enhancing Quality of Life & Social Engagement

Our services can also help individuals and their care partners stay socially engaged, reducing frustration and isolation caused by communication difficulties. Research shows that staying connected can slow cognitive decline and improve overall well-being.

4. Care partner Training & Support

We also provide education and training for care partners, helping them learn how to communicate effectively and adapt to their loved one's changing needs. This support can reduce stress and improves the overall caregiving experience.

6. Maximizing Neuroplasticity

Engaging in structured therapy can help individuals retain and compensate for lost skills more effectively.

Parkinson's Resources

Spark Rehab + Wellness

Sagebrush Speech Therapy partners with Spark Rehab + Wellness, a physical therapy and occupational therapy clinic in Bend that specializes in Parkinson's. Just like speech therapy, proactive physical therapy and occupational therapy evaluation and consistent monitoring of motor skills like walking, are vital to maintaining quality of life.

Parkinson's Resources of Oregon

Parkinson's Resources of Oregon (PRO) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, as well as their families and caregivers. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for those affected by Parkinson’s through education, wellness programs, support services, and advocacy. Reach out to May Mobbs, the Central Oregon Program Coordinator at 541.668.6599.

https://www.parkinsonsresources.org/

Bend Parkinson's Support Group

PRO offers a monthly support group for individuals and their care partners. Meetings are every third Wednesday of the month from 2:00-3:30 pm. The meetings are at Partners in Care 2611 NE Courtney Dr Bend, OR 97701. Contact May Mobbs, the Central Oregon Program Coordinator at 541.668.6599 for more questions.

Redmond Parkinson's Support Group

PRO offers a monthly support group for individuals and their care partners in Redmond. Meetings are held the first Thursday of the month from 1:00-2:30 pm. The meetings are at Community Presbyterian Church is at 529 NW 19th St Redmond, OR 97756. Contact Ginny Weeber, the support group leader at weebs2@bendbroadband.com for more questions.

Parkinson's Caregivers Support Group

This is an informal group with no set agenda. We meet the needs of our friends when they need it. This group meets Fridays 9:30-11:30 am at Partners In Care 2611 NE Courtney Dr. Bend, OR 97701. Contact Mary Jo at 541-693-4488 or stop by Partners in Care for more information.

SPEAK OUT! Group Sessions Sonos NeuroTherapies

This is speech and voice therapy group is for individuals in Central Oregon who have completed the SPEAK OUT! Program. The group is lead by the speech therapist, Kristin Williams, CCC-SLP and is held via Zoom at 10 am on Thursdays. Reach out to Sonos NeuroTherapies to request the Zoom link.

541-604-8255

contact@sonosbend.com

https://www.sonosbend.com/

SPEAK OUT! Home Practice Sessions

Join a SPEAK OUT! speech therapist LIVE Monday – Friday at 10 AM U.S. Central Time via link below. You can also watch and participate in sessions that have already been recorded if you cannot make it.

SPEAK OUT! live + recorded sessions

Fitness for Parkinson's

Exercise for Parkinson’s PWR

Tuesdays and Thursdays 1-2 PM

First Presbyterian’s church

Nancy Nelson

503-799-5311

nancyn.pdex@gmail.com

Dance for Parkinson's

Mondays at 9:30-10:45 am

First Presbyterian Church

Kimberly Walter

503-421-7374

kimberlywalter00@gmail.com

Rock Steady (Boxing for Parkinson’s)

Classes are held twice a week at the High Desert Martial Arts Club.

Call or email Steve for specific days and times.

541-706-0424

steveutzman@icloud.com

Impact PD (Parkinson’s exercise class)

Tuesdays and Thursdays

9:15 am - 10:30 am

High Desert Martial Arts

Virtual PD Exercise