Try: When a Care recipient (cr) has lost the ability to communicate due to a condition like aphasia it leads loved ones and often caregivers wondering if there’s really anyone in there conditions like these which often develop after a cr has suffered from a stroke can inhibit a cr’s ability to communicate to some degree or cause them to lose their speaking abilities completely after a stroke it’s hard to know what cognitive capabilities of a cr are still intact and when the cr has no way of telling you what’s going on in their mind it’s hard to know whether the issue goes only as far as speech or if it is much more serious not knowing can really make families change how they interact with their cr; because even though the cr’s cognitive skills may be intact it’s like they’re void of personality people with aphasia might have lost their ability to speak and they may exhibit signs of disorientation but they’re still in there and they still deserve to be treated with respect and dignity especially by caregivers aphasia is challenging for families to deal with but remember how the cr feels as someone who is unable to communicate information references

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical

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Keywords: Aphasia speech problems

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Imagine trying to speak but you could not find the words speech was difficult and or the words you were hearing sounded foreign to you however your intelligence is intact and you know what you want to say but cannot get the words out that is the common experience of care recipient’s cr with aphasia aphasia is usually caused by a stroke or brain injury with damage to one or more parts of the cr’s brain that deal with language according to the national aphasia association about 25 to 40 of cr’s who survive stroke get aphasia aphasia may also be caused by a brain tumor brain infection or dementia such as alzheimer alzheimer’s disease in some cases aphasia is an episodic symptom of epilepsy or other neurological disorder information references webmd com

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

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Keywords: Apashia stroke speech

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Aphasia is the medical term used to indicate a communication impairment that results in an inability to express oneself by speaking writing or gesturing expressive aphasia and or an inability to understand written or spoken language receptive aphasia this typically happens to those who suffer a stroke that affects their body body’s right side the range of severity varies from person to person each person with aphasia has a unique set of speech and language problems it may mean complete loss of speech severe aphasia to just an occasional difficulty finding the right word or using an incorrect word mild expressive aphasia receptive aphasia problems may range from an occasional misunderstanding of a word to a complete inability to understand all words most individuals with aphasia are competent mentally and have not lost intelligence or common sense which makes aphasia a very frustrating disorder they know what they want to say; they just have trouble putting their thoughts into speech or writing the good news is that aphasia doesn’t get worse unless there there’s another stroke or brain injury almost all people improve how much and when it will happen falls into the each strokee is different category the primary goal is to learn to cope with the problem and communicate effectively despite the aphasia to reach this goal a speech therapist is an absolute must information references references "stroke caregiver’s handbook" by joyce dreslin no date available at www strokesafe org

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Medical Physical

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Keywords: Aphasia communication trouble speaking trouble finding the right words verbal verbalization talking slurred speech

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Pet ownership can have many positive benefits for the Care recipient (cr) specifically pets can improve the cr’s lifestyle and overall health the following are examples of the lifestyle benefits of pets for the cr increasing exercise if the cr is able walking a dog or playing with a cat will get the cr exercising providing companionship isolation and loneliness can make disorders such as depression even worse caring for a living animal can help make the cr feel needed and wanted helping meet new people pets can be a way to socialize with others reducing anxiety the companionship of a dog can offer comfort help ease anxiety and build self-confidence for the cr adding structure and routine to your day many pets especially dogs require a regular feeding and exercise schedule this can be good if the cr needs structure as well information references helpguide org

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Social

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Keywords: Pet animal anxiety isolation

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Pet ownership can have many positive benefits for the Care recipient (cr) pets can be especially good for the cr’s health pets can play help most cr’s healthy by helping the cr find meaning and joy in life as we age we will lose things that previously occupied your time and gave life purpose cr’s are retired and sometimes not near family caring for a pet can bring pleasure and help boost morale and optimism staying connected maintaining a social network isn’t always easy as we grow older retirement illness death and moves can take away close friends and family members dogs especially are a great way for seniors to spark up conversations and meet new people boosting vitality crs can overcome many of the physical challenges associated with aging by taking good care of themselves pets encourage playfulness laughter and exercise for the cr helping cr’s with memory loss pets can provide a source of positive nonverbal communication certain pets can help soothe an cr with memory loss and decrease aggressive behavior information references helpguide org

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Social

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Keywords: Pets dementia health

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: At some point most care recipient’s cr with alzheimer’s will need to move for a higher level of care moving is a big adjustment both for the cr and the caregiver the cr with alzheimer’s is moving to a new place with new faces the caregiver is adjusting from being the person providing hands-on care to a different role remember to give yourself and the cr time to adjust if you’re expecting the move try to prepare and have everything ready to smooth the transition work closely with staff regarding the cr’s needs and preferences an extra familiar face during moving day such as another relative or close friend can also help each person adjusts differently to this transition depending on the cr’s needs you may either need to visit more frequently or give the cr their own space to adjust as time passes you should be able to figure about the best schedule for the cr and your appropriate role information references helpguide org

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Financial, Legal, Medical Physical

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Keywords: Alzheimer alzheimer’s dementia move moving

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Caring for a Care recipient (cr) with alzheimer’s or dementia is a large task alzheimer’s disease can be a challenging journey not only for the person diagnosed but also for their family members and loved ones as well caring for a loved one with alzheimer’s disease can seem overwhelming at times but the more information and support you have the better you can navigate the demanding road ahead caregiving is much easier when you make adequate preparations start by learning about ways to care for the cr with alzheimer’s disease and learn about care options as you accept the condition you will be able to learn more and prepare for the cr’s care if the cr is a loved one it may be difficult to prepare because of emotions however try not to let feeling impact your decisions the cr still needs the proper care remember the more education and support you have the better you will be able to help your loved one with alzheimer’s information references helpguide org

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

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Keywords: Dementia alzheimer alzheimer’s

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Preparing for alzheimer’s care is important for the care recipient’s cr well being there are some alzheimer’s care preparations that are best done as soon as possible it may be hard to consider these questions at first as it means thinking into the future about the cr’s condition however putting preparations in place early helps an easier transition for everyone the following are questions to consider in preparing for alzheimer’s and dementia care who will make healthcare and or financial decisions when the cr is no longer able to do so while a difficult topic to bring up if the cr is still lucid enough getting their input helps including their wishes in decisions how will the cr’s care needs be met sometimes other family members assume that a spouse or nearest family member can take on caregiving but that is not always the case caregiving is a large commitment that gets bigger over time the cr likely will eventually need round-the-clock care where will the cr live is the cr’s home appropriate or is it difficult to access or make safe for later if the cr is currently living alone for example or far from any family or other support it may be necessary to relocate or consider a facility with more support information references helpguide org

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

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Keywords: Alzheimer alzheimer’s dementia

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Managing conflict is important for a caregiver caring for a Care recipient (cr) being able to manage and relieve stress in the moment is the key to staying balanced focused and in control no matter what challenges you face if you don’t know how to stay centered and in control of yourself you will become overwhelmed in conflict situations and unable to work the with the cr the following are common ways people respond when they’re overwhelmed by stress aggressive response an angry or agitated stress response you’re heated keyed up overly emotional and unable to sit still withdrawn response a withdrawn or depressed stress response you shut down space out and show very little energy or emotion paralyzed response a tense and frozen stress response you "freeze" under pressure and can’t do anything you look emotionless but under the surface you’re extremely agitated information references helpguide org

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological

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Keywords: Conflict management conflict resolution stress

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: The ability to understand and use nonverbal communication is a powerful tool that will help you connect with a Care recipient (cr) nonverbal communication or body language is a vital form of communication it is a natural unconscious language that broadcasts our true feelings and intentions in any given moment and clues us in to the feelings and intentions of those around us when we interact with others we continuously give and receive wordless signals often we do not even recognize these actions all of our nonverbal behaviors, the gestures we make the way we sit how fast or how loud we talk how close we stand how much eye contact we make, send strong messages these messages don’t stop when you stop speaking either even when you’re silent you’re still communicating nonverbally oftentimes what we say and what we communicate through body language are two totally different things when faced with these mixed signals the listener has to choose whether to believe your verbal or nonverbal message and in most cases they’re going to choose nonverbal nonverbal communication can be a helpful tool when working with a cr this is especially true if the cr struggles with other forms of communication information references helpguide org

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Personal

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Keywords: Communication body language nonverbal

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed