Does anyone have opinions about the best monitoring system for nonverbal seniors?
My uncle had a stroke but he is physically and mentally okay but he is unable to talk. He can get a word or two out but it is hard to hear and understand. I am unable to find a system that seems to understand aphasia victims needs.
stephen hawking couldn't talk; he had access to very sophisticated technology. i hope you find some additional forums that specifically have good ideas on this topic! hug!! courage!
Years ago, my BIL used a Lightwriter. It had two displays, one facing him and one facing out. It spoke in a rather mechanical voice but enabled him to be part of the conversation. Perhaps there is a similar device with a wireless display and speaker unit. Consult a speech therapist or search online.
By monitoring system, do you mean one of the telecare based companies that supply falls alarms and a control box for communicating with the user?
If so, speak to the companies that provide the service and ask what they do. They should be able to suggest some sort of signalling system - knock once for no, twice for yes, three times for call 911 kind of thing - and probably have hundreds of non-verbal or barely verbal (think: Parkinson's) clients.
Yes, a stroke that damages the language areas of the brain, will prevent communication despite having the rest of the brain intact. Sometimes, speech therapy can restore partially or totally the aphasia. Not all stroke victims have the same speech impairment. Some only lose the ability to speak, but others lose the ability to comprehend. Every case is different, there is no universal system to communicate with an aphasic stroke victim.
We used a communication board when my mom lost speaking ability. She could point out her needs with it. As for monitoring, Great Call devices can be set up to not require speech when the button for help is pushed
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Perhaps contacting Intel will help you figure out if his communication device is available to regular people who are not famous or rich.
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If so, speak to the companies that provide the service and ask what they do. They should be able to suggest some sort of signalling system - knock once for no, twice for yes, three times for call 911 kind of thing - and probably have hundreds of non-verbal or barely verbal (think: Parkinson's) clients.
How is your uncle's hearing?