How to Support a Stroke Survivor: A Practical Communication Guide
When a loved one experiences a stroke, the changes in their communication can feel overwhelming and, at times, heartbreaking. It’s completely natural to feel uncertain about how best to help. The good news is that with a little understanding, empathy, and some everyday strategies, you can create a supportive environment that makes communication easier and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Getting started
Before jumping into everything, let’s take a look at what we’ll be going over. This way you’ll have an idea of what you can take away from this and set yourself some strong learning goals.
1.
Understanding How a Stroke Affects Communication
A stroke can impact language, speech, and cognitive skills, affecting how survivors express and process words - but not their intelligence.
2.
Everyday Communication Strategies
Simple adjustments like speaking clearly, using gestures, reducing distractions, and encouraging participation can improve communication and boost confidence after a stroke.
3.
Working as a Team: Families, Carers, and Speech and Language Therapists
Collaboration between families, carers, and speech therapists helps stroke survivors build communication skills, reinforcing therapy progress in daily interactions.
4.
Additional Resources to Support Your Journey
Support groups, charities, and therapy services provide guidance, emotional support, and practical tools to help stroke survivors and their families communicate effectively.
Understanding How a Stroke Affects Communication
A stroke can change the way a person communicates, but it’s important to remember that these changes are about the way the brain works - not a reflection of their intelligence or effort. Here are a few common ways stroke survivors might be affected:
Aphasia
Aphasia can make it challenging to find the right words, understand what’s being said, or even read and write. It’s a disruption in the language pathways, not a sign of diminished intelligence.
Dysarthria
This occurs when the muscles involved in speaking become weak or hard to control. The result can be slurred, slow, or muffled speech - even though the person knows exactly what they want to say.
Apraxia of Speech
Apraxia of Speech (often called AOS or simply “apraxia”) is a motor speech disorder where the brain has trouble sending the correct signals to the muscles responsible for speech. Even though the muscles themselves may work fine, the person struggles to say words consistently or in the right order. They might find certain words easier than others one day, and then the next day, they can’t get them out at all.
Cognitive-Communication Challenges
Beyond speech itself, some stroke survivors may have trouble with memory, attention, or processing multiple pieces of information at once. This can make conversations in busy environments particularly challenging.
Understanding these challenges is the first step toward supporting your loved one. It helps you see that each difficulty is a part of their unique journey, and with the right strategies, everyday communication can become a little smoother.
Everyday Communication Strategies
There’s no quick fix for the communication challenges that come after a stroke, but there are practical, everyday approaches that can really help:
Speak Slowly and Clearly
A gentle, deliberate pace can make a world of difference. Use clear, simple sentences, and don’t hesitate to pause between thoughts. This gives your loved one time to process what you’re saying and find their own words.
Helpful hint: If they’re having trouble responding, try rephrasing your question or offering visual options to guide the conversation.
Helpful hint: If they’re having trouble responding, try rephrasing your question or offering visual options to guide the conversation.
Embrace Nonverbal Cues
Communication isn’t solely about words. Gestures, facial expressions, and even a written note can be powerful tools. Whether it’s a reassuring smile or pointing to a familiar object, these cues can help bridge any verbal gaps.
Helpful hint: Keep a notepad or some pictures nearby to help illustrate your ideas if words fail.
Helpful hint: Keep a notepad or some pictures nearby to help illustrate your ideas if words fail.
Create a Calm, Distraction-Free Environment
A quiet, focused setting can ease the strain of processing language. Turn off background noises like the TV or radio and make eye contact to create a space where your loved one feels fully heard.
Helpful hint: Encourage everyone at home to observe “quiet times” where conversations can flow without unnecessary interruptions.
Helpful hint: Encourage everyone at home to observe “quiet times” where conversations can flow without unnecessary interruptions.
Encourage Participation
Every word, gesture, or attempt at speech is a victory. Involve your loved one in everyday decisions - be it choosing a meal or planning an outing. This reinforces their confidence and helps keep their communication skills active.
Helpful hint: In group conversations, invite them to share their thoughts. A simple, “What do you think about this?” can make a big difference.
Helpful hint: In group conversations, invite them to share their thoughts. A simple, “What do you think about this?” can make a big difference.
Working as a Team: Families, Carers, and Speech and Language Therapists
Creating a strong support network is key to navigating communication challenges after a stroke. Here’s how everyone can play a part:
- Assessment and a Personalised Plan: A Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) will begin with a thorough assessment to understand your loved one’s specific challenges. This forms the basis of a tailored therapy plan aimed at achieving practical communication goals—like chatting comfortably with family or making phone calls.
- Ongoing Family Support: SLTs don’t just work with stroke survivors—they also share strategies with families and carers. By learning techniques to use at home, you can help reinforce the progress made during therapy, ensuring consistency across different environments.
- Collaborative Care: Often, stroke recovery involves a team of professionals—from physiotherapists to occupational therapists. By collaborating closely, the SLT and other specialists can ensure that every aspect of recovery is addressed, enhancing the overall quality of life.
Rebuilding Communication Together
Supporting a loved one through stroke recovery is a journey filled with small, meaningful steps. By speaking slowly, using nonverbal cues, and creating a calm environment, you’re not only helping them communicate more effectively - you’re also nurturing their confidence and well-being. Remember, every conversation is a step forward.
Working together with professionals like Speech and Language Therapists, and leaning on supportive communities, can make all the difference. With patience, empathy, and a bit of everyday practice, you’re setting the stage for progress and positive change.
Additional Resources
- Stroke-Specific Charities: Organisations like the Stroke Association (UK) provide free materials, local events, and helplines that can help break down complex medical issues into everyday language.
- Aphasia Support Groups: Connecting with others who share similar experiences—whether in person or online—can provide both practical tips and much-needed emotional support.
- Local Community Centres: Many centres run activities specifically designed for stroke survivors, offering a welcoming space to practise communication skills and meet new friends
- Private Speech Therapy Services: Some families find that independent or telepractice options with a qualified SLT offer flexible, personalised support that fits well with their routine.
To help recall any important points, here's a list of key-takeaways:
- Stroke affects communication in different ways: Survivors may struggle with language (aphasia), speech clarity (dysarthria), or coordination (apraxia), but their intelligence remains intact.
- Simple communication strategies make a big difference: Speaking slowly, using gestures, reducing distractions, and encouraging participation help stroke survivors feel heard and understood.
- Patience and empathy are essential: Conversations may take longer, but staying calm and supportive helps build confidence and reduces frustration.
- Family and carers play a key role: Learning speech therapy techniques and maintaining consistent communication practices at home can support recovery.
- Support is available: Stroke associations, therapy services, and support groups provide practical resources and a sense of community for survivors and their families.
