What Word Finding Issues May Indicate in Aging Adults

The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that around two million people in America are living with word finding difficulty, also referred to as aphasia. This condition mostly affects seniors, especially those with cognitive decline issues.

Bradenton, Florida, is among the most desirable areas for senior living. This is due to the multiple waterfront activities, parks, and the coastal environment. Bradenton allows for social interaction among seniors, which can improve their language skills.

Let's discuss more about word finding issues and how memory care Bradenton, FL, can support seniors with communication needs.

What Causes Speech Changes in Seniors?

Aphasia occurs as a result of damage to the left side of the brain, which is responsible for language. Some of the causes of word finding issues include the following:

Brain tumor
Stroke
Sickness caused by a brain infection
Dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Word finding difficulty is among the early dementia symptoms. Psychological factors like depression and isolation can exacerbate it.

Signs of Word Finding Difficulty in Older Individuals

The main sign of aphasia is knowing what to say but failing to find a way to say it or write it down. This makes it frustrating and difficult to have meaningful conversations. Other symptoms of aphasia include the following:

Describing an object instead of saying its name
Pausing in conversations
Generalizing the name of an object, for instance, saying "things" instead of the exact name
Speaking in an unclear manner

How Can Memory Care Bradenton, FL Help Seniors With Communication Difficulties?

An older adult in Bradenton, FL can greatly benefit from assisted living support. This can help them regain their confidence and improve their communication skills. Below are some ways that seniors with word finding issues receive support at Discovery Commons Bradenton Senior Living Community:

A Supportive Environment

Seniors with aphasia need to stay in a distraction-free, quiet, and calm environment to help them focus more on enhancing their communication. Some older adults may feel shy or ashamed of their language disorder, which can cause isolation and depression.

Caregivers at assisted living communities, Bradenton, FL, assist by patiently listening to residents and helping them finish their sentences in case the conversation breaks down. These supportive staff also take care of all house chores and maintenance issues for seniors. Therefore, you'll have all the time you need to practice and perfect your language skills.

Engaging in Social Activities

Interacting with other residents in the senior living community, Bradenton, FL, can boost your confidence and improve your overall well-being. At Discovery Commons Bradenton, we have an annual events calendar with a lot of group activities and hobbies that our residents can engage in.

Singing is a great way to improve speech changes in seniors. We have Broadway musicals, song exercises, and mocktails & sing-alongs where older adults can sing their favorite songs.

Our assisted living community also encourages social interactions by hosting special occasions where you can invite your friends and family for shared laughter over delicious meals. Having your loved ones with you and sharing memorable moments is a great way to practice communication and build your confidence.

Moreover, the Sensations Dining Program at Discovery Commons Bradenton allows residents of the community to come together during meal time and share details of how their day was. This is a great opportunity to improve your vocabulary and interact with people with similar issues.

Brain Teasers

Brain teasers such as Sudoku and crossword puzzles are perfect for exercising the brain and repairing any damage that may be causing word finding difficulty. Exercises that involve describing pictures and word searches can stimulate language comprehension and recall.

Seniors can engage in brain teasers with their loved ones or residents of the assisted living community to make the activities more enjoyable. This promotes easy vocabulary retrieval and cognitive skills.

Additionally, writing and reading practice can help seniors experiencing language difficulties. Find a reading material that matches your interests and language level. At Discovery Commons Bradenton, we have a private sitting area where you can enjoy some quiet time and read your favorite novels.

Similarly, engaging in writing exercises like journaling fine-tunes the motor skills involved in writing and also helps in language reconstruction.

Using Non-Verbal Communication

Sometimes, seniors with word finding difficulty benefit from non-verbal communication especially when they're completely unable to express themselves through words. The caregivers at assisted living in Bradenton, FL, understand how frustrating this can be for the older adults and thus help them communicate in easier ways.

For instance, caregivers or loved ones can create a book with photos of familiar objects, locations, and people. In case you're having a conversation about any of the objects in the pictures, you can point to an image to communicate your point.

Besides, caregivers can provide you with a chalkboard or whiteboard where you can jot down anything you need to say. Other forms of non-verbal communication include the following:

Communication apps or devices
Gestures such as nodding or pointing
Facial expressions

The staff at Discovery Commons Bradenton are available 24/7 to provide all kinds of support you may require.

Relaxation and Mindfulness Activities

Mindfulness techniques, including meditation and deep breathing, can get rid of feelings of anxiety and frustration that are common in older individuals with aphasia. Having a calm state of mind will help you focus more on your communication and be more patient with yourself. This contributes to effective rehabilitation and enables you to rebuild your vocabulary and language skills.

Discovery Commons Bradenton has senior-specific health amenities that promote wellness in older individuals. Residents engage in physical exercises and have spa days to help them rejuvenate and relax their minds.

Improve Your Communication Skills With Support From Discovery Commons Bradenton

Language and aging can affect your confidence and make you ashamed of speaking in public. Seniors in Bradenton, FL, experience word finding difficulty that makes it hard to communicate with their loved ones. With the right support, you can improve your communication skills and build your self-esteem.

At Discovery Commons Bradenton, we have non-competitive, age-appropriate, and failure-free activities like brain teasers and song exercises where residents interact with each other and enhance their language. We also provide a handcrafted 'My Story' book for all memory care seniors to help them journal their progress.