Approximately one third of all stroke survivors develop aphasia, which is a condition that occurs when the language center of the brain is damaged, inhibiting the ability to communicate. There are a number of devices available that help stroke survivors regain the ability to communicate.
1. Pen & Paper
Many seniors develop paralysis on one side of the body secondary to the damage caused by the stroke. However, if older adults retain some level of hand function, a simple pad of paper and a pen or pencil can enable them to communicate. Even if they only write a few words, seniors can express their desires or needs and answer questions.
2. Mobile Devices
Using a smartphone or an iPad is another way a senior stroke survivor may be able to communicate. The senior simply needs to turn on the device and use the keyboard and note software to type a message using a single finger.
Mobile devices also enable stroke survivors to exchange text messages with loved ones. The enhanced ability to communicate with friends and family provides support and reassurance that prevents isolation.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional elder care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
3. Picture Communication Systems
These tools contain a number of cards featuring images of actions, activities, and objects. A senior merely needs to give the appropriate card to a family member or other caregiver to express a need. Seniors can also put multiple cards in a line to form a sentence. These collections range from basic systems to advanced sets that contain hundreds of cards.
4. Picture Books
Picture books are similar to communication cards, but they feature charts and pictures. Visual dictionaries are even more helpful because they also contain images with captions. Stroke survivors simply point to the appropriate images to convey their needs or answer questions. For those who have difficulty connecting words with images, desires, or needs, picture books are also helpful for relearning correlations among words, actions, and images.
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Auburn, Alabama, live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place.
5. Language Apps
Language apps are available for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other devices. When a senior chooses a word, the app verbalizes in response. This way, stroke survivors are able to regain or enhance their speech abilities by repeating the words or phrases spoken by the app. Some apps also feature videos that demonstrate how to pronounce consonants, vowels, and words.
6. Text-to-Speech Devices
A text-to-speech device generates spoken words or phrases that help seniors with aphasia communicate with others. A touchscreen on the device enables users to enter words or phrases via an onscreen keyboard. A senior can also choose words and phrases from the device’s database. The device then speaks what has been entered on the screen. These devices are portable, user-friendly, and similar in size to common mobile devices.
These devices can stimulate cognition and make communication easier for senior stroke survivors, and so can having a trained caregiver close by. Families looking for top-rated Auburn in-home care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. For more information about our flexible, customizable home care plans, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (334) 744-7100.