5 Healing Tips for People with Aphasia
Join an Aphasia support group.
If Aphasia is a culprit of avoidance and isolation for you, join a community of similar individuals who are walking on the healing path together. Meet others, share ideas, and practice your communication skills in an intentional space.
~RECLAIM hosts Virtual Aphasia Groups, from the convenience of your own home! This group focuses on communication strategies to build confidence and self-expression, mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and anxiety, and mental therapeutic practices to improve your relationships and step into the highest version of yourself. Learn techniques for communication effectiveness, all while engaging in fun, meaningful activities and conversations.
2. Exercise!
Consult with your Doctor before engaging in any exercise. Stoke patients may need to join a balance training program before they are ready to being their physical practice. If you are able, it is recommended to exercise at least 150 minutes a week, or 50 minutes/3 times a week. Exercise can help regulate cholesterol and blood pressure, improve energy levels, reduce the risk of depression, and help prevent another stroke. The founder and primary therapist of RECLAIM is yoga certified and specializes in adapted yoga for stroke recovery.
3. Meet with a licensed, clinical Speech Language Pathologist.
Speech Language Pathologists are especially trained to provide personalized therapy to meet your communication and life goals. Make sure you find a therapist that uses evidence-based practices, as well as a holistic life approach to therapy that takes into account the whole being and lifestyle of the Person with Aphasia. Goals should be meaningful, relevant, and capitalize on strengths. The purpose of therapy is to optimize engagement with activities and relationships that are important to the person with Aphasia. This approach is known as Person-Centered Care, and includes the family and client in setting goals and making decisions about their healing journey. The field of neurorehabilitation recognizes the necessity for individualizing therapy to optimize functional outcomes. This is why computer apps can be helpful, but meeting with a live therapist who can assess and reassess progress and goals is the key to treatment.
To meet online with a holistic, highly trained Speech Pathologist from the comfort of your own home, Click here for a free phone consultation!
4. Keep a healthy Diet!
The food you eat fuels your brain recovery. After a stroke, the brain needs optimal nutrition and energy to engage in neuroplasticity. Make sure to eat whole grains, plenty of fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, fish, olive oil, plenty of legumes, nuts and seeds. Limit your alcohol intake & do not smoke cigarettes or use tobacco.
Our Speech Pathologists at Reclaim make sure to check in on the client’s diet and help support the client in making healthy life choices.
5. Get Emotional Support
Recovering from a stroke is extremely difficult. Whether it’s from a family member or a trained professional, make sure the Personal with Aphasia is receiving the psychological and emotional support they need. Posttroke depression can limit recovery and improvement (Berg, Palomäki H., Lehtihalmes M., Lönnqvist J., & Kaste, 2003).
Reclaim Speech has an in-house Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (MA: MSW, LICSW), who works with adults with depression that have experienced trauma such as strokes. Contact Reclaim today to receive a free consultation.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE WITH APHASIA:
Stroke Smart, a monthly newsletter for Stroke Survivors
Aphasia Software Finder, a resource to find Aphasia-friendly apps and software.
Aphasia Recovery Connection, a social media community for People with Aphasia.