Communication boards typically consist of pictures, symbols, and words or phrases that help individuals with limited expressive ability, such as senior stroke survivors. The tools allow older adults to interact with their family and friends and communicate their wants and needs, which is vital to stroke recovery. Although there are various kinds of communication boards, each device is designed to make daily life easier for seniors and their caregivers.
Increase Adaptability
One of the most significant issues for elderly stroke survivors is the inability to continue doing tasks in their day-to-day lives. However, communication boards can help them adapt to the situations and challenges they encounter, especially changes in their verbal skills. Seniors connect the images, patterns, shapes, and words on the different boards, keeping their brains active, which provides a better chance of restoring the cognitive abilities lost, and it could speed up the recovery process.
Experienced professional caregivers can often provide tips for communicating with senior stroke survivors. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Enhance Comfort Levels
Caregivers may think their senior loved ones are lashing out for no reason, but health issues like joint pain could be causing the combative behaviour. Senior stroke survivors may also experience chewing or swallowing difficulties caused by dysphagia, so they refuse to eat. Using communication boards allows stroke survivors to alert caregivers about pain and various other challenges. Being informed of the discomfort enables caregivers to move their loved ones to more comfortable areas, help them with physical tasks, or create menus that include pureed foods and healthy liquids. Higher comfort levels can boost mood and reduce behavioural problems.
Having a caregiver close by can give your loved one peace of mind while he or she recovers from a stroke. If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Barrie Home Care Assistance can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks.
Boost Memory
Most seniors experience memory impairment after strokes, and their risk of developing dementia can increase significantly, which makes using communication boards even more critical. These tools can increase social skills, motivate seniors to interact with others more frequently, and strengthen cognitive function, and they often include a variety of methods, including color codes, calendars, symbols, and labels. The external aids can stimulate the mind and restore functioning to the side of the brain impacted by the stroke. As a result, seniors may begin making better judgment calls, boost their critical thinking skills, and enhance their short-term memory.
Increase Self-Esteem
Losing some cognitive abilities and motor skills after a stroke can harm mental health, and seniors may spend a lot of time wondering if the visual and informational memory issues are permanent. These negative thoughts can increase anxiety and lead to high blood pressure, putting seniors at risk for recurrent strokes. Communication boards provide alternative communication methods for seniors with language and speech difficulties, which can boost their confidence and lower the risk of depression. Increasing cognition with the devices can also motivate seniors to engage in more purposeful activities.
Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality in-home care. Barrie families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. If you need professional care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today at 647-970-3803.