A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, often by a burst blood vessel or a blockage. This interruption to blood flow means that part of the brain loses oxygen and nutrients, causing those areas of brain cells to die within minutes. The more quickly a person having a stroke gets help, the damage can be reduced, but your loved one will most likely still need to go through a serious recovery period. If your loved one is struggling to communicate after their stroke, getting in-home rehabilitation services for their speech is a convenient and safe way to bring the services right to your loved one without having to worry about going to a clinic for their therapy.
Three Common Speech Issues After a Stroke
One part of the brain that can be affected by a stroke is the area that controls speech. The type of language impairment from a stroke depends on the part of the brain that was affected by the stroke.
The most common impairments include the three below:
- Speech motor skills (such as apraxia and dysarthria)
- Language – the ability to understand or produce language (aphasia)
- Cognitive abilities and memory
Speech Motor Skills (apraxia and dysarthria)
Apraxia’s main symptom is the inability to make voluntary movements or gestures, even though the person has the physical ability and understanding to do so. The muscles and movements that are affected depend on the part of the brain that’s involved.
Dysarthria occurs when the muscles used for speech are weak or are difficult to control. Dysarthria will often lead to slurred or slow speech that can be difficult to understand for stroke victims.
Language Abilities (aphasia)
Aphasia is considered a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate clearly. For stroke victims, it’s a common side effect of the stroke if the area injured by the stroke was on the left side of the brain, which controls speech and language. If your loved one has aphasia, they might have difficulties communicating during daily activities at home, socially, or at work. Aphasia doesn’t affect intelligence, but its detrimental effect on a person’s ability to speak clearly can make it very difficult for your loved one to be understood.
Cognitive Abilities and Memory
Strokes can often damage short-term memory. Your loved one will still have his long-term memories but may struggle to recall recent events. This lack of short-term memory can make performing daily tasks more difficult and affect her ability to problem-solve or follow instructions accurately.
Getting Help at Home
There will be many steps you’ll need to take to help her recover from her stroke, and having at least one treatment offer in-home rehabilitation can reduce the amount of time you need to spend going to and from treatment, as well as the stress that driving may create.
In-home rehabilitation for speech therapy or any other aspects of your loved one’s stroke recovery process also allows your therapist to better understand your loved one’s living situation and what specific needs she may have to improve her recovery time and process.
You’ll have a lot to manage as your loved one recovers from her stroke, so let in-home rehabilitation help you find balance in the process.
If you or an aging loved one is considering In-Home Rehabilitation Services in Tamarac, FL, please contact the caring staff at Star Multi Care today. Call 954-962-0926.
Star Multi Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Florida, including Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and Broward County.
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