Hi Bec,
Here are some other comments from the Facebook community.
Tracy: Lots of conversation. Work out what works for them. Carry a diary and note book and a pen wherever you go and google is now your very best friend. Find an aphasia group and a Speechie that gets your goals. Be prepared for a long road.
Colin: Keep background noise to a minimum and concentrate on what she is trying to say, be supportive if she has to repeat something, I've just had a friend stay here for a few days, and I found myself repeating things 3 or 4 times because he'd ask something and be elsewhere mentally, he nearly left here in a box, never been so frustrated in the previous 5 years as until then
Nyree: I can only speak from my family's experience - please watch closely for signs of depression. Stroke victims with speech language difficulties often experience depression in the months post stroke. Therapy is a must but monitor mental health as well.
Vanessa: Above all be patient. When I had my stroke a little over 5 years ago the best thing my friends did for me was to have a normal conversation with me and patiently wait for my answer. Sometimes that answer felt like it took hours to come out but in all reality it didn’t, it just felt like it from my side. The patience and understanding really helped. I still get stuck for words. I know the meaning of the word but can’t remember the word itself. I have one particular friend that I still message or call and start the conversation with “what’s the word”. This started whilst I was in hospital and has continued on. It is good to have that level of support from someone who has seen you through the toughest time of my life and is still supporting me today. Good luck and I wish your sister a speedy recovery.
Barbara: Hi - I was 49 last year and had both types of strokes and a seizure. I found practicing as often as I could helped. It gets tiring though in the beginning. Speech therapy gave me a lot of word puzzles and games and exercises where they read you a paragraph and ask you questions. Talking with my son (14) was good because it was relaxed. Even trying to read was tiring in the beginning.
Jenni: Flash cards and get her to stick her tongue out as often as possible. Helped my Mother regain her speech.
Matt: Hopefully she has a speech pathologist on hand for the specifics, as mentioned already, it’s practice practice practice.
Take the exercises they give and do them as often as instructed. (Don’t let her beat herself up if she misses one or two here and there but the real progress is made in between sessions with the therapists.)
If she’s concerned that something’s not working or she can’t get a handle on part of the program, ask about it as there may be a different way to work the problem.
Progress will likely come in fits and bursts too, the important thing is to give it time and not get discouraged.
Jenny: Work on understanding her for now. Encourage her to use gestures, pictures and facial expressions etc You can't force the speech, it will come when she is not too stressed or tired. Don't ever pretend you understand her-that is very frustrating for the patient.
Rod: After my stroke in December 2015 I found early on it helped me to record a video of myself talking to myself. I’d replay it to see how my speech was going and re record and play it again. It took a while to get used to looking at and listening to myself but eventually it became a little easier and I started to notice improvements in my speech. Importantly when you get tired or fatigued stop and rest. No progress if fatigued so rest up and start again later. I also found it useful to send video messages to people instead of texts as I could get the communication going again which took the focus away from a feeling of isolation. Whatever you decide to do make sure you get plenty of rest. That’s probably the single most important part of recovery. Good luck.
Ali: If she’s stuttering at all on words or gets stuck with pronouncing get her to stop and maybe change to another word the stuttering is not good habit and playing scrabble is great.
Debra: Even 4 years later I can’t sound out the one or 2 words that I want to say so I then think of another word. It can very frustrating but just accept that’s what I have to do
Jasmine: I just don't shut up haha breath support important though an slowing down speech helps, exercises daily, always just keep trying. Technology
