Communication devices help senior stroke survivors maximize their independence when making decisions that affect their daily lives. These tools can make interactions easier for seniors, strengthen their cognitive abilities, and reduce the risk of verbal or physical outbursts. Experts of stroke care Roseville have listed down some of the communication devices your elderly loved one can take advantage of during the stroke recovery process.
1. Smartphones
Your loved one can use a smartphone to connect with others or keep up with current events. He or she can download different social media apps and use the platforms to send messages to family and friends or share posts on various subjects that matter to him or her. Your loved one can also use a smartphone for video chats with multiple individuals, including medical providers and therapists.
2. Speech Tablets
A stroke can cause damage to one or more language areas of the brain, increasing the risk of aphasia, a disorder that impairs the ability to read, write, and express thoughts. While your loved one is recovering from the stroke, he or she can use a speech tablet to communicate with others. Using the device can also enhance his or her language, vocabulary, and speaking abilities. Various brands of speech tablets offer different features, allowing a stroke survivor to find the device that suits him or her best.
Experienced professional caregivers can often provide useful 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 manage if their families opt for professional home care Roseville families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.
3. Interactive Whiteboards
Whiteboards are advanced communication devices seniors can use to interact with their family caregivers, visitors, and others. There are portable whiteboards you and your loved one can roll to different rooms within the home, making it easier to communicate until your parent’s cognitive abilities and speech are restored. Unlike dry erase whiteboards, interactive devices are typically controlled with apps or software that’s compatible with most computers and tablets.
4. Picture Phones
Some senior stroke survivors experience mobility problems that make it difficult to dial phone numbers. If this is the case for your loved one, he or she may have difficulty communicating with friends, family, medical providers, insurance companies, and long-distance caregivers. However, a picture phone is a hassle-free communication device your loved one can take advantage of at home. The device will dial the number of the person in the picture.
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Roseville, CA, live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place.
5. iPads & Tablet Computers
Senior stroke survivors often use repetitive language and have difficulty making their needs known to others. Communication devices such as iPads and Android tablets can make sharing their feelings and discussing their comfort levels easier during stroke recovery. Stroke survivors can download apps with pictures that help them communicate what they need in terms of food, medicine, clothing, and more. When they go out in public, they can also use the devices to order food at different restaurants, which could lower the risk of isolation and keep them active.
6. Smartwatches
These Apple and Android products offer more than the time. They’re also communication devices seniors can benefit from during stroke recovery. Most smartwatches have a voice support feature, and you can program multiple phone numbers into the device, which allows your loved one to speak into the watch when he or she wants to call or text a friend or family member. The tools are also fitness trackers that can help stroke survivors monitor their progress when exercising and trying to lower their blood pressure levels.
These devices can stimulate cognition and make communication easier for senior stroke survivors, and so can having a trained caregiver close by. 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 home care. Trust Home Care Assistance to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Home Care Assistance team at (916) 226-3737 today.