The communication needs of young and old cerebrovascular accident survivors

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY : Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) are a growing epidemic in developing countries such as South Africa, resulting in an increase in CVA-related morbidity, which includes communication impairments. CVAs have traditionally been viewed as a disease of the elderly, but there is an increase in the prevalence of young CVA survivors. This quantitative descriptive cross-sectional research aimed to describe the communication needs of young and old CVA survivors in the following five communication areas: difficult communication situations, difficult communication skills, preferred communication strategies, preferred conversational topics and preferred literacy skills. The results obtained from the 62 participants (i.e. 22 young and 40 old CVA survivors) who completed the Aphasia Needs Assessment (Garrett & Beukelman, 2006) highlight that their personal and social communication needs have to be addressed before those that are environmental in nature. Furthermore, the findings suggest that difficult communication skills have to be identified before difficult communication situations and preferred topics can be addressed. Speech-language therapists working within the South African context are often confronted with challenges such as high unemployment, poverty, poor literacy levels and adverse circumstances, thus making the use of appropriate assessment criteria and management approaches challenging. Speech-language therapists are therefore recommended to identify CVA survivors' unique barriers and facilitators to ensure appropriate intervention.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University