Q – My dad has suffered a number of strokes over the past 5 years, and although we had noticed a decline in his communication skills over the years since his first stroke, he was only recently diagnosed with progressive expressive aphasia. He still has some language skills left, although we’ve been warned by his Indianapolis doctor that there is a good chance that in the near future he won’t have any speech abilities at all.  I know that regardless of his ability to speak, he will still be in there, probably dying to communicate, so what can me and my family do in order to help him express himself even once his language skills are gone?

A – Although you are clearly going through some hard times watching these changes in your father, you seem to have the right attitude; some people seem to think that along with the language skills, seniors with aphasia or apraxia lose cognitive skills too, and they don’t put an effort in to communicate because they think there’s no one in there. To help encourage your father to communicate, and allow him to express himself, here are a few techniques that are recommended for seniors with aphasia or apraxia:

• Make sure they always have a way to communicate and make their own decisions;  ask yes or no questions, or write down potential answers for a question posed to help them make their decision
• Always speak to your loved one in a direct and natural way – never assume that they can’t understand or that there’s no one in there
• Speak clearly to improve understanding, use expressive body language, draw pictures or write down key words
• Seek help from professionals in Skilled Conversation techniques for seniors with expressive aphasia or apraxia, and talk to a Indianapolis doctor about additional therapy options to help improve a senior’s communication skills without language

Sources:

1. Stroke Association
2. The Aphasia Institute
3. Orange Blossom Farm
4. About

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