When communicating with stroke victim, have patience

Q: My husband recently had a stroke, and it impacted his speech. We now have difficulty communicating with each other. What can we do to improve our communication?

A: A stroke can cause a language problem called aphasia. The stroke can damage the left side of the brain, where the majority of language function resides for most patients. Aphasia may cause difficulties in speaking, listening, reading and writing without affecting other aspects of intelligence.

The most important tool in communicating with someone who has aphasia is patience.

When talking with your husband, remember he is still a competent and intelligent adult. Do not talk down to him. It can help to simplify your speech and slow your rate of speech. It’s also a good idea to focus on one topic at a time and to reduce competing sounds in the background such as a television or radio. Allow him plenty of time to get his words out. Try to avoid finishing his sentences for him unless he signals that would be helpful. Do not focus on problems with pronunciation, and praise attempts to talk.

You and your husband may find it helpful to use other forms of communicating such as gestures, picture, writing or drawings. It’s important for both of you to confirm that your complete thought has been shared. A simple yes-orno question at the end of a thought can help with this.

It may be helpful for both of you to work with a speech-language therapist to develop more effective tools for good communication.