COVID-19 has changed every facet of life for the time being. So, it’s important to do everything we can to stay healthy – not just for our own sake but for our loved ones too. Here are four things you can do to avoid illness and slow the spread of coronavirus. 1. Practice social distancing.…
Caring for yourself is, perhaps, the most important thing you can do when you’re responsible for caring for a loved one. Without taking the time to focus attention on yourself, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, burned out, and even resentful. An increased stress level is the most common side effect of being a caregiver for…
As we recently learned, the caregivers of people with aphasia face a variety of unique challenges in addition to the mental, emotional, and physical effects that frequently coincide. Caregivers grapple with stress, emotional well-being, sleep quality, energy level, life outlook, and even physical pain or discomfort. They also report worsening relationships with friends, people in…
We’ve all been there. You are with your loved one (who has aphasia) and encounter someone who isn’t familiar with the condition and struggles with the interaction. These encounters can be awkward, lead to frustration, or even cause your loved one to retreat from social situations. There are, however, effective ways to turn this into…
Few people ever anticipate becoming a caregiver to a spouse, child, parent, sibling. Yet, every year millions of individuals fall victim to stroke or traumatic brain injury, and aphasia. Many of those who acquire aphasia go on to recover within a few months. However, others will experience impairments that can last significantly longer – for…
Holidays are usually thought of as a joyful time of year. When living with aphasia, this may not always be the case. Holidays can present unique challenges for people living with communication disorders, as well as their caregivers. The Danish concept of hygge is all about enjoying the present moment. In the winter, the days…
If you are reading this blog, you or someone close to you most likely has aphasia. It’s a condition that can have a significant influence over your life — from how you communicate to how you engage the world around you. Having New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to change your life in…
Journalists and media writers like to say we’re living in “Peak TV” because there have been a lot of good TV shows recently. But, a lot of the best shows aren’t just aired on traditional networks anymore — many also appear on online streaming services. With the kids and grandkids around for the holidays, these…
Having a loved one with aphasia can add stress to the whole family. Many caregivers find themselves with unexpected responsibilities. These can include navigating doctors’ appointments and providing assistance with everyday tasks. If the stroke caused one or both people to stop working, finances can be another big stressor. In a recent survey by Lingraphica,…
Video games are now one of the most popular forms of entertainment, with some attracting millions of players worldwide. And who doesn’t like playing games? Word games in particular are a great, fun way for people with aphasia and their caregivers to play with words. These games can be downloaded onto a mobile phone or…
