Does anyone know how to talk and carry on with a stroke person that can't talk at all?

My mother had a stroke many years ago and could not talk, she only had use of one hand and the side. The left side of the brain controls movement on the right side of your body and controls speaking. Your father obviously has a stroke in that part of his brain which causes problems with reading, writing or speaking and he may have problems understanding what is being said. A physiotherapist or a speech therapist, will help him recover, even if he has this treatment months or years after the stroke. Although some of the brain cells that have died may never work again, the cells that are left can form new links with each other. There's also evidence that when nerves in the brain have been damaged, other brain cells may take over their job. It is very early days for your father and of course he is feeling depressed and needs anti-depressents. If you havent done so, the hospital would have arranged for a physiotherapist to come to your house as well as a speech therapist. When an injury happens to the brain it is a very slow process so you have a long road ahead of you. I am now looking after my husband who just had a stroke and water on the brain, brought him home in an ambulance as he couldnt walk but with a lot of physiotherapy and a speech therapist he is walking, talking and using his hand again and it has been nearly one year. We have a long way to go yet. I really think it is too early to start tapping and nodding just give him a week or two then you can start trying to communicate but in the meantime bring things to him to show him what you think he wants and if he can read, write down what you want to tell him and number them 1 to 10 and since he can use his left arm he can point to the one that he wants. In other words try to read his mind. Most important to remember that he will become very frustrated as he can see that his body is not like before. Later on you can join a Stroke support group who can give you a lot of information you need but most of all right now, give him lots of cuddles and show him you are there all the time you are in early days and good luck on your journey.

Yes make a speech communication board on a large poster board. If he has the cognition to read the word then write the words on the board, ask him the questions and let him point to the answer with his left hand or you point to an answer and let him shake his head with a yes or a no. If you are in a nursing home setting then they have communication boards already made. If he can still read then put a picture of something like if you want to know what is wrong write alot of choices like pain, thirsty,hungry,bathroom,sad, etc. If he has alot of cognition left then get him one of those magnet boards with the alphabet magnets and let him spell out what he wants to say. Keep questions simple at this point. Yes of no questions are best right now but you must develop some type of communication system with him to encourage him to rehab and get better. It will probably take some time but there is hope that he can get alot movment back and maybe his speech. I assume you have a speech therapist working with him along with a physical and occupational therapist. I am so sorry you and your family are going through this. I have worked in a long term facility with a rehab wing to it for about 17 years. I have seen people recover from strokes that I never thought would walk again. There is hope. Just make sure you keep him encouraged and do not let him get depressed. If he is not on an antidepressant then he needs one started right now. That should have been one of the first things the doctor prescribed after they found out the extent of the damage. It will take about 3 weeks for it to get in his system enough to be effective. I will say a prayer for you and your family.

you could use an alphabet table that he can point to the letters that he wants to spell. or if he can write any...he can write to you on a chalk board. give it some time. maybe he can use a laptop or notebook to tap words out with one or two fingers to try to carry on a conversation (used to work with stroke/spinal injury patients)

WOW that sucks. No, there is no way of communicating. So sorry. I have seen this a few times. Just be there for him--and keep trying and be sure he knows you all love him. If he can squeeze with the left hand--use the 1 squeeze for yes--2 squeezes for no--maybe this would help??? Good Luck to you ALL

Pen and paper might be most suitable. Or perhaps an alphabet table, however, this may be time consuming. Good Luck and I wish your dad all the best.

My daddy? Are you 12? It's: "My FATHER just had.........." He needs to recover and have speech therapy. Now just keep questions to a simple yes or no format.