When my dad lost his ability to speak due to progressive expressive aphasia, the whole family went through a period of mourning. Although he was there in person, it felt like the person that we had known and loved for nearly 80 years was gone. It took a lot to remember in the early days, that despite his inability to communicate, my dad was still in there somewhere, and over time we began to realize just how hard it must be for him to have thoughts and feelings that he’s unable to express. We consulted a specialist that deals with language loss that comes with aphasia and apraxia in San Jose, and were provided a number of suggestions that would allow us to help my dad communicate and express himself, even without language. We didn’t ignore the problem, and by making an effort, we were able to ensure that my dad still felt like an important part of the family.

Here are the suggestions that we were provided, and I’d suggest that anyone wondering how to deal with the language loss of a loved one give them a try.

• 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 San Jose 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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