Aphasia after a stroke and support

[brainflake]

Not really sure where to post, apologies.

Someone close to me has suffered a stroke and is now showing signs of aphasia. Still hospitalised and will be for some time.
Their understanding is somewhat there of what we know of.
They will need SALT...
COVID restrictions mean no visitors atm in hospital...

Anyone had any experience with aphasia?

My DH had a stroke last June. He has ongoing cognition problems and mild aphasia, together with fairly severe visual problems. His difficulties with cognition mean he needs help with almost everything. He has learned to dress himself (still gets things on the wrong way round), he can make black coffee, or Bovril. He can wander round with the dogs, who take enormous care of him. That's about his limit.

His aphasia means that he cannot communicate clearly. SOmetimes he can say a whole sentence, other times he just cannot get his mouth to say the words he knows he wants to say - it's as if there's a blockage between brain and mouth. He's not too bad with me or with neighbours we've known for many years. He really doesn't do well with strangers unless they give him plenty of time and don't try to guess the word.

Now if he's not getting a particular word out he knows to say things that are somewhere in the right region and because we've been together so long I do usually know what he wanted to say. It means we communicate fairly well but doesn't improve his communication with outsiders.

The hospital should be able to provide you with the details of the SALT department, so you can talk to them about your relatives condition even if you're unable to visit.

I'm sorry to hear that OP. My Mum had a large stroke in 2014 and was left with lots of issues, one being severe aphasia. She had SALT input, and I did lots of recommended talking therapies with her. She was really frustrated though and became quite cross which was really unlike her, so be prepared for that.

I have been left with mild dysphasia. What they need to be doing now is practice practice practice. Can you phone them on their hospital thing to talk to them?

I was lucky enough to be able to use my phone. I spoke and text a fair bit of nonsense (I didn't realise how bad at them time 🤣) but it all helped me improve.

My writing and speech is still affected worse when tired or unwell or stressed.

Thankyou for replies. Much appreciated.
I have called their mobile which I know they have but no answer so I have no idea if they are completely unaware of what the noise is or if it is their phone ringing etc. Previously they wouldn't tend to reply to texts as they wasn't very tech savvy tbh. Drs have said theyre still not talking. Prior to ambulance which picked them up and took them in they could just about say yes and no.
It's odd because no visiting means difficult communication with drs etc. No one is able to say whether their understanding is there. Although able to walk and go to the toilet unaided. Gets completely frustrated and cries a lot of what we do know though, due to most probably not being able to communicate needs.

Ask PALS if there is anyone who could visit to facilitate contact (facetime perhaps). The phone may well not be within reach or tucked away in a locker. SALT will be visiting to assess swallowing as well as speech. There should also be a community team to support after discharge. Are you NOK as updates normally go through a single nominated person.

@LIZS although I am not NOK the NOK has agreed all communication go between 3 of us and in turn we all communicate with each other

If you want a good progress update and to be made aware of plans ask to speak to the therapy team (OTs and phaysios) or SALT.

Aphasia is quite common following a stroke, but there’s often a lot of recovery in the early days and then slower, but ongoing improvement for a long time after. The SALT and OTs will be working with them to help them improve as much as possible. The OTs will also assess them cognitively so will be able to give you an idea of their current level of understanding. It can be very frustrating for the person to know what they want to say, but be completely unable to say it.

Depending on their progress and the severity of the stroke they are likely to go for specialist rehab after. If they do get discharged home then there should be ESD support. Everyone who has suffered a stroke is entitled to it.

Our hospital has a team of volunteers who are facilitating video calls with patients and their family, so ask the ward if this is possible.

A stroke is a scary thing, but many people do go on to make really good recoveries in time.

@Nonivknamesforcatapillars I've thought about directly talking to OT or someone other than dr. Video call would be great idea.
Do you work in a hospital?

Do you know which side of the body the stroke affected?

Long term aphasia/dysphasia is (I think,happy to be corrected) associated with a stroke affecting the right side.

Already walking unaided sounds like a positive sign. Dm couldn't walk at all initially but now some 7+ years later manages without a stick albeit with a limp.

The worst after effect IMO is the effect on her speech. She knows what she wants to say but can't always manage it. If this is the case you may find a generic word becomes established . We get a lot of 'thing' meaning we sometimes have to guess. It's also affected her spelling which can upset her.

Frustration at the inability to express what she wants to say is a big issue but she does get by if she takes it slowly and people are patient. Take advantage of everything offered by the hospital. The initial rehab sessions after discharge were invaluable.

@CathyorClaire left side. They previously had a stroke 15 yrs ago which effected upper body movements and memory as in forgetfulness. This time drs have said will effect her speech either won't be able to speak or v limited. Been about a week since and no progress with communication as such

@brainflake

Yes I work in a hospital. I’m an apprentice OT and was an assistant for years before that. Stroke isn’t my speciality but I do have recent experience of stroke rehab.

@CathyorClaire is right, it’s the left side of the brain which mainly deals with language production, so the person would have right sided motor/sensory deficits.

The therapy team are the ones who will be working with them from a functional point of view and can often give a better update regarding their actual abilities than the doctors who are looking after them medically. They can discuss next steps and discharge planning. If the aphasia is significant they would probably benefit from further inpatient rehab even if physically they are doing well to ensure the level of intensity in the early days. More input gives the best chance of recovery. The therapy team will be able to advise on your relatives exact circumstances and what will work best for them. I can only speak for our hospital, but we’re generally very happy to answer questions and reassure relatives.

Ahh yes misread there. Person has had Stroke on left side of brain...
They recovered once but now seems so much worse

I think we crossed posts. I didn’t see your answer before I posted that and didn’t mean to sound patronising or anything. 🙈

[quote brainflake]@CathyorClaire left side. They previously had a stroke 15 yrs ago which effected upper body movements and memory as in forgetfulness. This time drs have said will effect her speech either won't be able to speak or v limited. Been about a week since and no progress with communication as such[/quote]
My husband had a stroke nine weeks ago, he has no speech but is having intensive speech therapy and has made some good inroads to communicating using his tablet/phone. He has been home for almost six weeks now and the speech therapy has continued at home with therapists coming in every day Mon - Friday. He has no use of his right side and that recovery is proving to be much slower than his communication, he is still pretty much bedbound.

@bloodywhitecat I'm glad there are improvements though. Thankyou for your input.
My own worry is will they be able to communicate by writing or typing when they wasn't very tech savvy previously. Fingers crossed eh!