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I want to help grandmother to communicate with others, so people will understand what she's trying to say.

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my mother had a stroke about 5 years ago and she can't talk or walk but it doesn't matter she think she's talking and I talked to her and comfort her pretend I understand what you saying and sometimes she'll answer me correctly with it yeah or a head shake so they know more than you think even though they can't talk just love them that's all you can do
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My mother is blind - obviously writing is nor any good for her. We are trying hypnotherapy. It has shown proven results in many cases.
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Hardtohandle, that's exactly what MY mom did. She had aphasia - some really good speech therapy took the edge off and helped her a little, but most of the time, she'd still say the wrong thing, and rather than understand she'd said the opposite of what she wanted or made no sense, she assumed we were stupid idiots for not getting it right the first time she said it!

Once she said she needed the sour cream on. That meant she needed her brief changed. Other times she'd yell she needed the heat turned UP UP UP and they'd turn it all the way and what she really wanted was down because she was way too hot...and the extra sweater that we added wasn't helping that any.

The speech therapist will try to teach them to compensate when they can't find a word, and if they are willing to use a picture board or point to choices like what foods they usually want or maybe pictures of someone who is too hot or too cold, it can work. If you really have no option to get one, there is no reason not to try some of those things yourself. Here is a site you might like to look at: www.aphasia.org/content/communication-tips - I noticed that googling for "communicate with elders" was not as much help as "communication with aphasia" for the kind of thing you are going through. It's hard.
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Thank you all so much for your answers, I will take them all into consideration. Unfortunately for speech pathologist it would be difficult to find in my area. My grandmother still able to communicate, but I can see that she's struggling to make people understand what she's trying to say. I can understand her (sometime I got lost too), but others may not. And I'm afraid that eventually she will loose her ability to communicate.. I'm asking for your ideas and suggestions so I can prepare things when it actually happen. Again.. thank you so much to know that there are people out there that willing to help you with their experiences and expertise
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The best advice is to find out from speech therapist what type of cognitive issue she has. She may not write even if she has memory of words. You may get a simple communication system on an iPad or tablet that are picture oriented or text to speech if she has cognitive ability. If speech therapist is also certified or has knowledge in augmentative/assisted communication. Do some research on AAC
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Can she still use pencil and pen? If not, you will be guessing, just try asking her if she can nod. Blinking one's eyes - one for yes, and two blinks for no will work.
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My mom had a massive stroke and she has this problem. It gets very annoying. And then sometime she forgets whatever it is that she even wanted. She gets very upset if i cant figure her out. She feels i should know because im her daughter. But when i cant get it she gets really upset. Id like to know the answer
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You can communicate with hand squeezes and eye blinks...if you're lucky.
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I see people using 'communication boards' or a homemade version using pictures for common needs/wants. I had a client whose family used large index cards, glued common pictures on them and then laminated them, punching a hole at the top, placed the cards on a ring for easy use. You can use plastic sheet protectors just as easy or use clear contact paper over the pictures or cards. Common pictures can be; a tube of toothpaste/dentures, a cup for a drink, a plate of food for hungry, a commode for need to go to bathroom, tv, radio/music, happy face, sad face, blanket for being cold, fan for being to hot, a variety of faces for pain (you can find them on the internet), bed for a nap, coffee mug for want coffee, and what ever else would apply. If is difficult when one can't communicate well. I was able to communicate with a client by hand gestures, pointing at objects and by trial and error. I would mention works and she would shake her head yes or not until I found the correct word for what she needed. Over time, you find a way to communicate. If one thing doesn't work, try something else. Of course you can purchase communication boards, but if money is a factor a home made one can work just as well.
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Is she unable to communicate now or are you afraid this is comming?
There are a couple of simple solutions. Write he usual needs in large letters on paper or a board so you can point to them and she can communicate her needs. If this does not work draw or find pictures of these things. plenty of catalogs with pictures of things like the toilet, foods coffee, cups etc
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Inability to communicate after a stroke can take many different forms. There are a few basic types of aphasia. There is receptive aphasia which is the inability to understand what is being said. With expressive aphasia, the person knows what they want to say but can't get it out. Global aphasia is a combination of the 2.
Having an evaluation from a speech pathologist should be helpful in determining which type your grandmother has and what some solutions could be.
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She will be communicating, maybe just not speaking clearly. Maybe she can do things physically to answer yes or no questions. Blink once for yes, twice for no. Get into a routine, which will be comforting and then pay attention to the signs she needs something. Talk to the doctors, get a speech therapist, join a support group and get more ideas.
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My good wife has been unable to speak since 2005, except for yes and no. have learned to use that I call the "20 questions" method....I keep asking questions: is it this or that or the other, and she will indicate no and then get exasperated that I can't readily figure it out...I just smile and say, "Well, you know what a dummy I am, but I am interested in working together to find out what it is that you want, so let's keep trying..." Then she calms down a little...finally, I figure it out (almost always) and then she can say, "yes, yes, YES." It took me a long time...Sometimes yes means no and vice-versa....She has been in the nursing home since 2007...One time it was several days and someone finally asked, "Is the laundry not returning some of your garments?" and she lit up like a Christmas tree and almost hollered "YES, YES, YES."
She is alert enough to be able to realize that one or the other garment has not been returned in a few days.....She is amazingly alert and observant.
Grace + Peace,
Bob
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What have you in mind? If your grandmother is unable to communicate because of her stroke, it seems unlikely that she would be able to learn any new ways of getting her meaning across; and although communication is a two-way street, and others can adapt to her, learning to understand her is something that they will have to do.

If you have any involvement in or influence over her care provision, one thing to aim for would be continuity of care so that she is looked after mainly by people who know her preferences and habits well. This is always desirable, of course, but for those whose communication is limited it needs to be stressed as a priority.

You would be surprised at how much communication is non-verbal, and how sensitive people are to small signals. So it's not hopeless - I'm just sorry not to have more to suggest. You could try consulting an Occupational Therapist?
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My 90 year old Dad is extremely hard of hearing, less than 15% hearing with hearing aid. I have never known him as a fully hearing person.... To help with communication, I carry a pad of paper and pen. That helps with basic communication.

Our ability to carry on a regular 'give and take' discussion is pretty limited. He chose to not learn sign language, therefore, that is not possible. However, over the years we have developed a few hand signs to communicate basic needs.
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