A team out of Boston University has been looking at what happens after a stroke to an individual’s ability to speak as they once did. What they’ve found so far is quite encouraging, and will hopefully have a positive impact on speech therapy and recovery for people that have suffered from a stroke.
Using computer simulations, researchers were better able to pinpoint how to help speech therapy proceed. They started with a question regarding languages in general. They asked, “if a person speaks multiple languages, which language should they receive therapy within?” Using computer models, they found that each situation is a little bit unique and needs to be handled as such. They also added that this kind of thinking is far more accepted than ever before because of the spotlight on individual needs and barriers to care that the pandemic helped to shine for the general public. The fact that a bilingual individual might need a different type of speech therapy than an English speaking person is now a widely accepted concept.
They found that bilingualism can actually be used as an advantage during therapy. However, a culturally sensitive approach is needed. This computer model helped to show just what that will look like in more concrete terms.
During a stroke, blood flow to the brain is temporarily halted, which can easily result in brain damage. Oftentimes, we associate stroke with paralysis and a loss of speech. The researchers behind this study wanted to find a solution, or at least point future research in a better direction when it comes to stroke treatment and speech therapy.
This type of speech loss is called aphasia, which is a neurological disorder often caused by a stroke. About a million people in the United States are impacted by aphasia each year.
The team recently published their findings in the journal, Scientific Reports.
A stroke, or any other major health event for that matter, can have a huge impact on someone’s ability to successfully take care of themselves. It can also have a negative impact on a family’s ability to help their loved one out as they once did. If extra help is needed during this time, there’s no harm in getting it.
There are a lot of different types of senior care out there. Knowing which one works best for your family can be tough. But that’s okay. More choices means that you are more likely to find the ideal care for your loved one.
Each situation is different. Your family is unlike any other out there, and what works best for everyone else might not necessarily be what’s best for you. It’s important to know your options when it comes to care. And then, it’s important to find the one that will best connect with your loved ones. That’s where we can help. In-home care is highly customizable because it occurs in your own home. It can be done on your terms, in the style that will help you out the most. If you’d like to learn more about this type of care and how it will look in your unique situation, please feel free to reach out. We’d be happy to help you get started.
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