Your elderly father suffered a stroke and is back home recuperating. But now dad is having trouble speaking and understanding what you’re saying. His inability to communicate has reached a point you’re worried about his health and wellbeing. What should you do? Many older Americans have a medical condition known as aphasia, which interferes with their ability to speak, read, write and understand language. Getting your message across when an elderly parent has difficulty communicating is possible when taking these steps.
What is Aphasia?
Aphasia occurs when specific regions of the brain that produce and process language get damaged. According to the National Aphasia Association, over one million Americans have aphasia; a majority of which are over the age of 55.
Sudden-onset aphasia can be caused by:
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
- Brain surgery
Gradual-onset aphasia typically results from:
- Brain tumor
- Brain infection
- Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s, dementia or Alzheimer’s
The severity of aphasia symptoms varies from patient to patient depending upon which area of the brain is affected, the damage’s extent, the person’s age and their overall health.
Signs and Symptoms of Aphasia
Signs and symptoms of aphasia include:
- Trouble naming familiar objects, people, places and events
- Difficulty expressing oneself when speaking or writing
- Trouble reading or spelling
- Trouble understanding conversations
- Leaving out small words from sentences
- Speaking in short phrases that take much effort to get out
- Mixing up sounds in words
- Making up words
- Trouble with numbers or doing simple math
- Saying the wrong word in-a-given situation, or substituting a word that doesn’t make sense
If your aging in place parent is experiencing one or more of these signs, finding effective ways to communicate with them is vital for ensuring their continued freedom and independence.
Assisting a Parent with Aphasia
Sometimes aphasia is temporary and can be corrected with speech therapy and other types of rehab. Other forms of aphasia are permanent, which means family members must also learn how to permanently adjust to their loved one’s condition. Whether your parent’s aphasia is short or long-term, here are some ways to more effectively communicate with them:
Talking Devices
These electronic tools enable a user to make requests by choosing images from a screen which the device then verbalizes. There are even more sophisticated versions that allow users to type in personalized messages on a keyboard that the device then verbally delivers at the touch of a button.
Image Sets
An image, or symbol, set allows a senior to simply point at pictures that describe what they are trying to express, for example that they’re hungry. For seniors who are more tech-savvy, there are image set apps that can be downloaded to smartphones, laptops or tablets.
Portable White Boards
A white board and erasable markers are another effective way for a senior with aphasia to express what they’re thinking, as they can simply write words or sentences on the board and then wipe them off when finished.
Sign Language
If your parent’s speech loss is permanent, learning American Sign Language (ASL) is a reliable way for you both to connect with one another. ASL instructional books or online videos can teach you both how to sign the letters of the alphabet and use word symbols to communicate effectively with one another.
Touch Therapy
This is a good way to gage a non-communicative parent’s response to a specific hands-on action that you’re taking. However, it’s best to tell your loved one what you’re doing in advance. For example, say, “Dad, I’m going to hug you know because I love you.” Then, watch for non-verbal cues like his body language to see if hugging him at that given moment is O.K.
Family Trusted In-Home Care for Seniors with Aphasia
Caring for an elderly loved one with aphasia can be difficult and frustrating. When you need assistance, contact Seniors Prefer Homecare. As a fully licensed and insured home care agency, our compassionate caregivers have been trained on how to communicate with seniors with aphasia so they can keep aging comfortably in place right where they want to be. Our carefully screened aides can also provide a full menu of home care services including meals, personal hygiene, light housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation and companionship.
And, all our family trusted, in-home services can be individually personalized into an affordable package when and where you need them! To learn more about Seniors Prefer Homecare, or to schedule a FREE consultation for a senior in Tuscaloosa or Huntsville, AL, today, please visit us now at: www.seniorspreferhomecare.com.