The overall objective of speech therapy is to optimize the patient’s ability to communicate and/or swallow, thereby improving quality of life. Speech therapists may use specific exercises to strengthen the muscles of the mouth and throat or cognitive exercises to help restore memory or improve sequencing and problem solving. Speech therapy is often prescribed after a stroke or for someone with progressive neurological conditions such as dementia. Speech therapy can also be useful in treating breathing problems associated with lung diseases. In general, speech therapy is helpful in addressing the decline sometimes associated with the aging process.