HealthInfo Canterbury

Helping someone with aphasia communicate

Te āwhina i tangata ngū kia whakawhitiwhiti

 

Communication is a partnership. Both partners are responsible for making it work.

You may need to support the person you are communicating with. They may need help understanding conversations. They may also need help getting their ideas, thoughts, feelings and opinions across. You can do this by:

• Getting the person's attention before speaking. Use their name, make eye contact or touch their arm.
• Allowing more time for communication. You will need to be patient and listen carefully.
• Remembering they are still intelligent. When they are having trouble getting their message across, reassure them by saying "I know you know".
• Encouraging and accepting communication of any type, including gestures and writing.
• Letting them know when you do not understand them.

Make sure the environment is right

• Create a quiet, non-distracting environment (turn off the radio or TV).
• Make sure they are wearing their glasses or have any low vision aids handy.
• Ensure they can see windows and areas where people interact.
• Place items like clocks and notice boards at eye level.
• Ensure the room is well lit so they can use nonverbal cues.
• Make sure any hearing aids are working and well fitted.
• Arrange furniture so it allows interaction.
• Use personal items, mementoes, clocks, calendars, pictures and noticeboards. These can help get a conversation going.

Help them understand you

• Sit close and face the person you are talking to.
• Talk in a natural, relaxed way. Do not shout.
• Speak slowly and clearly, using short sentences.
• Repeat or rephrase the sentence if they do not understand.
• Use gestures, written key words or pictures as you speak.

Help them communicate their message

• Encourage them to take a breath and speak loudly.
• Give them time to respond.
• Ask short questions that only need a "yes" or "no" response.
• Provide choices (written or verbal) for them to point to.
• Get them to say key words or break up what they are saying into small chunks, pausing and taking a breath in between.
• Clarify that you understand what they mean. For example, saying "So you think...".
• Let them know when you do not understand (if you pretend you do understand, it can cause confusion).
• Avoid finishing their sentence for them.
• Encourage them to use gesture, pointing, drawing or writing if it helps.

If they cannot find a word, encourage them to describe it or to use a different word. If the person has trouble communicating a topic or word, tell them you can come back to it later. It might be easier when they are less tired.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Aphasia New Zealand

  Information, support and resources for people with aphasia, and the people who care for them.

• Eastern Health cue cards

  People with aphasia and their carers can use these cue cards to communicate simple things like hunger, thirst and using a telephone.

  These cards are available in 36 different languages.

• Stroke Foundation

  Help and support for people affected by stroke and their whānau (families).

Written by speech-language therapists, Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2023.

Sources

Page reference: 79695

Review key: HISCD-79694