Aged‌ ‌care‌ ‌and‌ ‌living‌ ‌with‌ ‌Aphasia

Aphasia is a medical condition that severely impairs the ability of a person to communicate. Aphasia can be either mild or severe and can affect how you speak, your writing abilities, and your understanding of the spoken or written word. This condition usually sets in after a head injury, stroke, or brain tumour.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with Aphasia, you will want to consider hiring a caregiver from specialised aged care services or book a nurse at home. It will ensure that they receive the best possible care and rehabilitation. Aged care providers are trained to be compassionate, understanding, and patient towards your loved one. One must understand that your loved one has not lost their intelligence, but only their ability to communicate.

Taking care of a patient with Aphasia 

A person with Aphasia will need in home care. If you look for an aged care facility near me or search through my aged care providers, you can successfully arrange for home care services for the benefit of your loved one if they are suffering from Aphasia.

Tips for communication 

• Draw the attention of your loved one before you speak to them.

• Pay attention to their body language as it will give you cues to assist with effective communication.

• Maintain eye contact with the person when speaking to them.

• Use simple words to convey the meaning of your message. 

• Use short sentences and be ready to repeat important words so your loved one understands you clearly. 

• Talk slowly and steadily with allowances made for repetition until they understand what you are saying. Keep patience above all else. 

• Ask close-ended questions more often, ones that need a simple yes or no to answer. 

• Give your loved one an ample amount of time to say what they want to say, do not push them. 

• Eliminate background noise where possible. 

• Ensure that you are communicating at a normal volume, neither too soft nor too loud. 

• Ask your loved one to draw, write or point towards what they mean if they have trouble speaking. 

Aged care providers from reputable in-home care services will keep these tips front of mind when helping your loved one manage their day to day activities if they suffer from Aphasia.