Woman wakes up & is talking after 20 years in a coma

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Could you share some things that might be helpful to those of us who are doing patient care for someone who is in the same condition? What are some ways to communicate? What are some things that you learned from your experience? We deal with a lot of stroke victims on the floor and I am really interested in learning more about how to help.

Wow...her story hit home for me too. Its important to recognize that expressive aphasia does NOT mean thought processes are affected!!! This is why a communication board is so important, and PT/OT/ST get involved in the rehab process early!!

I always talk to my comatose patients while doing cares...I assume they can hear me. If they do not speak to me, I find the ways they DO communicate. Disabled aphasic patients still can communicate in subtle ways if we pay close attention. ;)

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Specializes in pure and simple psych.
Wow...her story hit home for me too. Its important to recognize that expressive aphasia does NOT mean thought processes are affected!!! This is why a communication board is so important, and PT/OT/ST get involved in the rehab process early!!

I always talk to my comatose patients while doing cares...I assume they can hear me. If they do not speak to me, I find the ways they DO communicate. Disabled aphasic patients still can communicate in subtle ways if we pay close attention. ;)

Right. Talk as if you know that they hear you, in a normal tone of voice, explaining each intervention, and for heaven's sake, remember oral care. It must be so frustrating to be helpless, and not have basic care done. If you don't have time, make sure that the aids do it. Imaging waking up to a contractured body and a mouth full of cavities. yuck. :nono:

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