Aphasia, a condition that may occur after an individual has experienced a stroke, is marked by difficult or absent speech and problems with understanding and processing language. It is a source of frustration for many seniors and their families because it can create a significant barrier to communication. Fortunately, various treatment options are available. Here are a few common treatments designed to target the specific problems associated with aphasia.
Speech Therapy
The most common forms of treatment for restoring communication skills in people with aphasia are provided by professional speech therapists. They use a variety of techniques that are designed to reconnect the areas of the brain damaged by the stroke to their respective speech- or cognitive-related functions. One common technique includes working the muscles of the mouth with different exercises to help seniors properly form words again.
If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, an elder care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
Alternate Techniques
A variety of other therapy methods have proven successful in reawakening speech and communication-processing skills. Constraint-induced communication treatments involve techniques that force the stroke survivor into communicating with only a verbal response. Here, using body language and other forms of relating aren’t allowed. Melodic intonation is another option that helps some seniors recover speech skills through responding by singing rather than talking.
Other therapies include:
- Art therapy
- Associating pictures with words
- Prescription medications
- Group therapy
An experienced professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support for a senior who is recovering from a stroke. If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Oakville Home Care Assistance can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks.
Home Treatment
When seniors who have aphasia are undergoing professional care, their therapists will provide them with activities to perform at home in an effort to enhance their course of treatment. Some examples of home exercises that family members and caregivers can perform with their loved ones include:
- Doing word search puzzles
- Reading aloud and singing
- Playing word-based board games
Aphasia can result from a stroke or another serious cognitive health issue. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Oakville senior care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help. If you need professional home care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (905) 337-1200.