APHASIA: EVERDAY ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT RECOVERY

Everyday activities can play a big role in helping someone with aphasia improve their communication skills while staying engaged in daily life. These activities focus on encouraging speech, comprehension, and alternative ways to communicate. Here are some practical activities that families and caregivers can incorporate into daily routines:

1. Simple Conversations

• How it helps: Engage in regular, low-pressure conversations about familiar topics like daily routines, weather, or favourite activities. This helps the person practice speaking and listening without feeling rushed.
• Example: Ask about their day: “Did you enjoy breakfast?” Keep questions simple and allow time for responses.

2. Reading Together

• How it helps: Reading aloud together, whether it’s a newspaper article, short story, or picture book, can help them practice language comprehension and word recognition.
• Example: Read a simple article or passage aloud, then ask them to point to words or phrases, or discuss what the story was about.

3. Using Picture Cards or Objects

• How it helps: Picture cards, flashcards, or household objects can be used to help the person name things, describe them, or answer questions visually if speaking is difficult.
• Example: Hold up a picture of a common object (like a cup) and ask them to name it or use gestures to describe what it’s for.

4. Playing Word or Card Games

• How it helps: Games like “Go Fish,” memory games, or word-matching games provide a fun way to work on language skills, from naming objects to asking simple questions.
• Example: Play a matching card game where they have to name the object on each card as they flip it over.

5. Cooking Together

• How it helps: Cooking provides a great opportunity to follow simple instructions and work on word-finding by naming ingredients, utensils, or actions.
• Example: Ask them to help by handing over ingredients or identifying what comes next in the recipe: “Can you pass the salt?” or “What do we add next?”

6. Listening to Music or Singing

• How it helps: Many people with aphasia retain their ability to sing, even if speaking is difficult. Singing familiar songs can help strengthen language pathways in the brain.
• Example: Sing along to favourite songs, or play music and encourage them to hum or tap along to the rhythm.

7. Looking Through Photo Albums

• How it helps: Looking at familiar photos can spark conversations and help with recalling names, places, and events, encouraging both speech and memory.
• Example: Go through old family photos and ask them to describe the people or events in the pictures: “Who is this?” or “Where was this taken?”

8. Writing or Drawing

• How it helps: If speaking is difficult, writing or drawing can be helpful ways to communicate. You can encourage them to draw pictures or write short notes as a form of expression.
• Example: Ask them to write down or draw what they’re thinking or feeling if they’re struggling with words. You can also label objects around the house together.

9. Shopping or Errands

• How it helps: Going to the grocery store or running errands offers a chance to practice language skills in real-life situations, such as naming items, counting, or following directions.
• Example: While shopping, ask them to find items or identify things on the list: “Can you find the milk?” or “Do we need apples?”

10. Watching TV or Movies Together

• How it helps: Watching TV shows or movies that they enjoy and discussing the characters, plot, or scenes can encourage both comprehension and verbal expression.
• Example: Watch a favourite show, then ask simple questions like, “Who is your favourite character?” or “What happened in the story?”

11. Daily Routines

• How it helps: Everyday tasks like dressing, washing dishes, or organising can help with sequencing (the order of tasks) and following instructions.
• Example: Ask them to help with tasks like setting the table: “What do we put on the table first?” and encourage them to say or point to the items.

12. Talking on the Phone or Video Chat

• How it helps: Conversations with friends or family over the phone or video chat help build confidence in speaking and listening in a real-world setting.
• Example: Encourage short, relaxed conversations with loved ones, allowing the person with aphasia to communicate at their own pace.

These activities can help improve communication skills while keeping the person with aphasia involved in everyday life. By incorporating speech and language practice into fun, meaningful activities, you can support their recovery and well-being.