What was it like for you?

_Kempy_
_Kempy_on Tuesday, August 13 2019
4 Comments

I am interested in hearing from men >50's who are experiencing aphasia and short term memory loss and are re-adjusting to life back at home:

* What have you found challenging with being back at home & around family?

* What do you wish they did more of?

* What do you wish they did less of?

* What do you wish they would stop doing all together?

 

As a carer just keen to get your thoughts & insights so i can be the best carer for my father as possible.

My father is no longer as verbal as pre-strokes, getting his input on the above questions has been a challenge, hence i'm reach out you this forum.

4 Responses
_Kempy_ avatar
_Kempy_

Maybe i should change this to word... "anyone >50 who are experiencing aphasia and short term memory loss". Just keen to get your view on settling in back at home

Diana avatar
Diana

Hi Kempy,

I noticed that you haven't received any answers. Are you happy if I include your question in the next EnableMe newsletter and share on Facebook for some answers?

Diana 

_Kempy_ avatar
_Kempy_

Hi Diana, 

That sounds okay. Will be good to see what people post :)

Thank you 

Diana avatar
Diana

Hi Kempy,

Here are answers for you from Facebook (there is also an invitation to private message someone if you are on Facebook): 

Kate Cadwallander As a carer of my husband who had a stroke at 57, we found a number of things helped with his short term memory loss. We had a clock with the time, date, time and year. We had a white board next to his bed & chair to remind him to call out if he needed anything or to say we’d be back in 10 minutes, that sort of thing. We found he enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles which entertained him and was good cognitive exercise. Always make sure he has a picture of completed puzzle as reference. We also had a folder near by with his full name, address and phone number as well as labeled photos of family and carers. He liked looking through this. Hope this helps a little. Wishing you all the best!

 

ThierryNdiane Waroux I wish for more ongoing exercise help and for more depression help. Also creative tasks or arts that would help.

 

Sue Jones Memory loss and can't get certain words out when trying to put sentences together..I know what I want to say but the words don't come out..frustratin

 

 

Glenys McLaughlin Understand that he is still intelligent and a whole person. Try very hard not to be patronising or treat him like a ‘simpler’ version of his old self. 

Recognise that trying to find the words is *exhausting* and so daily life, and conversations, can cause major fatigue. 

Don’t constantly focus on things “getting better” - they may, or they may not. Focusing on things getting better can create the impression that how he is now is not good enough.

 

Helen Stibbs Don't try to guess what your father is trying to say. When I was unable to think of words I found this actually interfered with the retrieval process if the wrong word was guessed (which it usually was!). The more you try to think of the word the worse it gets so just move right along without needing to get exact words.

 

 

Linda Steuer Need to be informed about depression and anxiety. I was never warned about these horrid illnesses and was in a real mess and really sick before a friend got me some mental health help

 

I hope these answers help - we'll try for more in the newsletter.

 

Diana 

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