Any advice on communication?

[rookiecarer]

It is now becoming increasingly difficult to work out what my husband is trying to say. Sometimes he is very lucid, other times I'm clueless and I hate having to say ' sorry darling, I didn't get that.' He was always so precise with language. It's breaking my heart.

[Hidden]

Same with my mum - on days that she isn't tired she is clear as a bell although I can tell she is still losing her words. On the days that she is tired, she is barely understandable. I am on the end of the phone though as I live in the US and she is in a nursing home in the UK, on her tired days, I usually chatter away about the weather and other superficial stuff in the hope that hearing my voice just helps her a bit, at least she might know I am thinking of her (which I do all the time). I have a friend who's daughter has cerebral palsy and uses an app on an ipad attached to her wheelchair that helps her communicate, like a big keyboard with pictures on that speaks for her, I wondered if that might be helpful. I don't know.

[rookiecarer in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying. I think the speech therapist is thinking along the same lines with a 'talking IPad' for my husband. I'm just not sure how well he will be able to see it. We were given a voice amplifier which helps but there seems to be something wrong with the new ones they have as they've changed suppliers. I do feel for you. It must be so much harder when you're so far away. So much of communication is non-verbal and you can't see her reaction. Would Skype be any good? If someone set it up for her, would she be able to see it? I'm sure she will appreciate hearing your voice, even if you're just blethering on about this and that. It's bound to brighten her day.

[Heady in reply to Hidden]

Hi, my husband has children leaving abroad. He too is struggling to talk and be understood. You are doing the right thing, by just talking about anything under the sun. He loves to hear their voices, he doesn't mind that that he can't join in. Same with Facetime or Skype, he loves just been able to see them. Unfortunately, neither recognise this fact and think he is ignoring them so don't bother phoning regularly or cut the call short. so cruel, but what can I do, the wicked stepmother!!! I have tried to explain, I think the dog understood more than they did! Hey ho!

Lots of love

Heady

[zjillian]

Look at my reply above to "Help"..steph75..