With most of the world under social distancing orders, staying connected to friends and loved ones has become increasingly important. Although older adults are certainly accustomed to picking up the phone to speak to someone, many are still unfamiliar or uncertain about using video chat. Here is a simple guide you can use to help…
Social Distancing Does Not Mean Social Isolation Many of us find ourselves in uncharted territory with recent measures – like social distancing and lockdowns – taken to combat COVID-19. However, for many people with aphasia, being socially distant is common and the struggle to connect with the outside world is a familiar challenge. The communication…
COVID-19 has changed every facet of life for the time being. So, it’s important to do everything we can to stay healthy – not just for our own sake but for our loved ones too. Here are four things you can do to avoid illness and slow the spread of coronavirus. 1. Practice social distancing.…
If you are struggling to communicate with your loved one with aphasia, you are not alone. A recent study by Lingraphica that involved over 700 caregivers of people with aphasia revealed that 93% find their inability to communicate with that person is the single biggest challenge. As we know, aphasia can manifest in several ways…
Caring for yourself is, perhaps, the most important thing you can do when you’re responsible for caring for a loved one. Without taking the time to focus attention on yourself, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, burned out, and even resentful. An increased stress level is the most common side effect of being a caregiver for…
As we recently learned, the caregivers of people with aphasia face a variety of unique challenges in addition to the mental, emotional, and physical effects that frequently coincide. Caregivers grapple with stress, emotional well-being, sleep quality, energy level, life outlook, and even physical pain or discomfort. They also report worsening relationships with friends, people in…
We’ve all been there. You are with your loved one (who has aphasia) and encounter someone who isn’t familiar with the condition and struggles with the interaction. These encounters can be awkward, lead to frustration, or even cause your loved one to retreat from social situations. There are, however, effective ways to turn this into…
Few people ever anticipate becoming a caregiver to a spouse, child, parent, sibling. Yet, every year millions of individuals fall victim to stroke or traumatic brain injury, and aphasia. Many of those who acquire aphasia go on to recover within a few months. However, others will experience impairments that can last significantly longer – for…
An aphasia diagnosis can be one of the most devastating things to happen to someone who survives a stroke or traumatic brain injury. In an instant a person can lose their ability to comprehend and use language. Similarly, an aphasia diagnosis can be just as devastating for that individual’s family and the person who becomes…
Holidays are usually thought of as a joyful time of year. When living with aphasia, this may not always be the case. Holidays can present unique challenges for people living with communication disorders, as well as their caregivers. The Danish concept of hygge is all about enjoying the present moment. In the winter, the days…
