What is a communication board and where can I get one. I am in the U.S. (Texas) and no one has ever mention one to our family. My Dad is in the last stages of PSP and he cannot make people understand what he is saying although he tries so hard. Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Hugs
DeeDee
Hi DeeDee-I am from Washington State! A communication board is actual very cool - it's almost like an ipad - can you load pictures and your dad could press on the picture for water, hungry, bathroom etc -in our psp group we had a gentlemen that had one and when there was something that he didn't like he had a "suckboots" button. The only thing to consider is that if your dad is in the late stages and cannot see the buttons or has the dexterity in his hands to press the button- it may not be benefical. We used non-verbal cues with my dad like -stick your tongue out for yes, or wiggling of the toes for yes- when he could no longer do that we used "raise your arm" he couldn't really raise this arms but you could see him trying. Sorry I couldn't be of more help - talk to the neurologist about the communication board and see what they have to say.
Good luck!
Danielle
Danielle Thanks for the communication tips. Wife and I aren't to that point yet but I'm gathering information to stay ahead of PSP, if that's possible.
xx Jim P
Thanks Danielle. Actually you were a lot of help. My Dad can hardly see and he really cannot control his hand movement so I guess this wouldn't work. We have been using the raise 1 finger for yes and 2 for no and pointing at things until we get it right, so I guess we will have to keep figuring out how to help him communicate with use what little mobility he still has left.
DeeDee
The speech therapists have made a large laminated sheet for Geoff with the letters of the alphabet on it in separate boxes also an end of word box and a "yes" and "no" box.
I still need to concentrate hard to understand his pointing as because of his vision impairment he points to the right!
It does sometimes help.
Good luck with this terrible illness and keep your sense of humour!
Sandra.
You could try using a picture board with big Yes and No cards.
Simple pictures like the toliet, a drink, some food, a TV or radio, a happy face or a sad face to indicate pain etc which you can hold for him to see and then 2 big cards - one with Yes and one with No in large letters that he can put his whole hand on so that accuracy/dexterity isn't such an issue.
Hope you find something that helps
Love to you and your Dad xxx
If possible ask to see a speech and language therapist who will help with strategies to manage communication, also if you are not a member of PSPA you might want to join and get our carers guide and see the communication sheet in there, go to pspeur.org
Thanks to all for your suggestion. Just communicating with all of you and the love and hope you send in your messages is such a big help.
Hugs
DeeDee
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