According to the Centers for Disease Control, around one in ten adults above 45 years report worsening memory loss or cognitive decline. This situation can lead to a lack of ability to hold conversations.

Difficulty with retrieving words can be frustrating. This is especially true if you’re in the middle of a discussion with loved ones.

Southern Pines, North Carolina, is a picturesque area with lots of horse farms and golf courses. It’s an exceptional spot for seniors to retire and receive memory care language help.

Let’s learn how word-finding difficulty affects older adults in Southern Pines, NC. We’ll also discuss how memory care and assisted living can support communication.

Understanding Word-Finding Difficulty in Seniors

You’ve probably experienced a situation where the words you want to speak won’t get out, but are at the tip of your tongue. This happens when sections of your brain fail to work together to get the exact work you’re intending to say.

Word-finding difficulty, also referred to as aphasia, is more common among older individuals. This is because information is processed much more slowly, leading to longer pauses during conversations. Speech changes in aging are usually a result of a normal decline in fluency that’s related to growing old.

Some of the common causes of word-finding difficulty include the following:

Dementia: Speech difficulty is usually among the early dementia signs.
Stroke: Having difficulty with word retrieval usually happens after a stroke.
Brain tumor: If a tumor invades the left hemisphere of your brain, it’s likely to cause aphasia.
Head trauma: Damaged brain tissue can cause speech difficulty in older adults.
Aging: The process of aging comes with memory loss and chemical changes.

How to Support Older Adults With Word-Finding Difficulty

An older individual with aphasia can benefit significantly from the support of those around them. It helps in regaining their confidence. Senior communication support requires effective communication strategies, understanding, and patience.

Below are some ways that TerraBella Southern Pines Senior Living Community supports the communication skills of residents:

Supportive Environment

By providing a distraction-free, quiet, and calm environment, seniors can concentrate more on communication. Most older adults feel shy speaking in public due to their speech disorder. Caregivers at assisted living in Southern Pines, NC, assist by intervening when the conversation starts slowing down.

Additionally, family members should get proper education on how to care for seniors with aphasia, as it encourages a supportive network.

Senior living communities often offer informative guest lectures about a variety of topics, including word-finding difficulty in older individuals. Seniors can embrace the situation more positively when they understand why they’re having a hard time communicating or forming words.

Engage in Social Activities

Social interaction boosts the overall well-being and confidence of older individuals. Engaging in group activities, hobbies, and social events enhances communication skills and cognitive health for older adults. Further, singing your favorite songs out loud can help you gain more confidence and improve your verbal skills.

At TerraBella Southern Pines senior living community, we have a Celebrations program with a variety of events and activities that residents can take part in. Crossword puzzles are also available to help you improve your vocabulary and reading skills.

Our book clubs encourage seniors to read and make the hobby more social and enjoyable.

Use Clear and Simple Communication

Caregivers should communicate with seniors using short, clear, and simple messages. They should repeat essential information if necessary and avoid using complicated vocabulary. Moreover, seniors ought to get extra time to respond without being pressured, as this may be upsetting.

If you’re an older adult having a hard time expressing yourself, use gestures such as nodding and pointing to communicate your message. Other non-verbal communication strategies you can incorporate in conversations include the following:

Communication apps or devices that reinforce speech with text and photos
Whiteboard to write down what you want to communicate
Pictures of things related to your conversation

Brain Exercises

One way to boost your word-finding skills is by exercising your brain. For instance, you can make it a habit to write down the experiences of your day in a journal. It not only promotes your writing skills but also enhances your language and communication.

Besides, you can practice speaking publicly by gathering your friends and telling them how your day was or talking about a topic you enjoy. This action will reduce your anxiety and, in turn, enhance senior communication support.

Other brain exercises you can take part in while at senior living communities in Southern Pines include the following:

Name some of the items you see as you walk around
Recite the alphabet when experiencing word-finding difficulty to cue the word you want to say
Tell jokes often and normalize storytelling
Pick a letter from the alphabet and say as many words as you can that start with that letter
Mentally associate the names of your loved ones and peers with their faces
List the items required to complete a specific task, for instance, baking needs flour, sugar, and milk

Speech Therapy

Among the most effective ways for seniors with aphasia to get help is through speech therapy. This kind of intervention helps older individuals adapt to the various challenges associated with word-finding difficulty. It also assists in rebuilding language and improving communication skills.

Regular group or one-on-one therapy sessions encourage seniors to gain confidence and practice communication. During speech therapy, seniors should maintain a positive attitude and focus on their abilities and strengths instead of their limitations.

Always keep in mind that speech changes in aging involve a loss of verbal skills and have nothing to do with your intelligence. Word-finding difficulty shouldn’t affect your sense of self-worth.

Get Senior Communication Support at TerraBella Southern Pines Senior Living Community

Word-finding difficulty affects older adults cognitively, socially, and emotionally. Supporting affected seniors involves encouraging speech therapy, educating them on the disorder, and promoting social activities.

At TerraBella Southern Pines, we offer low-stress and engaging lifestyles to all residents. We have a Dimensions health and wellness program that involves on-site support to enhance the overall well-being of residents.