Aids For Communicating With Hospitalized People? 160
charliezcc writes "My grandmother recently fell and broke two vertebrae (among other things) and is in the hospital while she recovers. Thankfully, she was not paralyzed and retains the use of her limbs. However, they have placed her on a respirator and she is virtually unable to communicate with us, so while we try to keep her company during her recovery, our company is reduced to mainly one-sided conversations. Asking her questions, even yes/no questions, is hard because of the neck brace — it turns into a guessing game and very quickly becomes frustrating for both parties. I'm a firm believer in the power of positive mental attitudes and to make her recovery a little better and I'd like to be able to facilitate two-sided conversations with her so she can keep positive. Keeping in mind that she does not have much technology experience, what would you suggest I utilize to ease the communication barrier? I remember seeing devices with a number of buttons that say whatever you program it to say, but I can't find these anymore. What other kind of devices are available?"
A Low tech solution (Score:5, Insightful)
As someone who knows.... (Score:2, Insightful)
Here's the catch though. If she's on a respirator, she's under some level of sedation. She might be pretty awake and all, but she's unlikely to remember much (if anything) while she's on the respirator. (Respirator's are not fun to the body)
Old Topic, new answers (Score:4, Insightful)
I used to be a Sp.Ed teacher working with severe autistics (which has really made me a great member of a dev team). I had many students who could communicate, but did not have the fine motor skills to speak. High tech is sometimes more than you need. I know you're willing to spend whatever it takes for your grandmother, but in this case, a little time investment may be wiser than a cash investment.
My first suggestion is American Sign Language [wikipedia.org] With a minimal amount of effort you can be communicating simply, and there's no reason to not spend more time learning more and stepping up to high end communication. I find ASL so useful that I've taught it to my friends for communication in loud bars, silent communication in meetings, secret messages we wish to pass in a room full of people, etc.
In terms of full fledged speakers, since you are not looking for a permanent solution, I'd recommend just using a OSX notebook. Open up the terminal, and type 'say hello world' You get the hang of it really quickly. On the windows side, Read Please [readplease.com] is quite competent, and has a 30 day free trial period. Plus there is probably wifi in the hospital...
If you don't have a laptop that she can use, I would suggested printed boards. The 800 lbs gorilla in the field is Mayer-Johnson [mayer-johnson.com]. Look around their products and see if maybe you can get away with something like their Picture Exchange Communication System [mayer-johnson.com]. Essentially they are cards with pictures on them that can be used for communication. It's not a great system for an adult, but if you need something temporary it's only $179.
I wish your Grandmother a speedy recovery.
Read to her? (Score:5, Insightful)
Pencils + paper (Score:1, Insightful)
I would also point out that my great-grandmother found the pencils very useful for making her points. For instance: if people weren't paying attention to what she was trying to say, she'd break her pencil in half and throw it at the offending parties. Very effective.
You could also try a laptop, but if the person isn't comfortable typing, then it isn't really as effective a solution as you might think.
Think low-tech, not high (Score:3, Insightful)
Pen and paper
There's no need to go any higher-tech than that, because you would have to teach her how to use the device instead of using her existing knowledge of how to write.
Low Tech (Score:4, Insightful)
Consult your hospital, they often have little message boards. There are some that have a little flip chart at the top, divided into functional categories like "I feel.. (sleepy, nauseous, good, thirsty etc.)" I want (water, pain meds, bedpan, etc.)" and then it has an alphabet at the bottom to spell out words that aren't on the chart, along with a list of common words so she doesn't have to spell them out (it, and, the, etc.).
If she can write, I recommend a "Magna-Doodle" pad. Very easy to use, clears with a push of the lever, designed for little kids so it's easy to use even for someone weak and incapacitated. Get a big Magna-doodle pad, that makes it easier to write long messages, or write big if you have poor motor control.
Re:if she can move her hands, mouse+ screen keyboa (Score:3, Insightful)
Um...no. Don't bring a pickup truck-full of electronics into the hospital room. The nurses have enough to do without stumbling over cords from devices you brought from home. The original poster said that the patient was on a ventilator. There are probably already quite a few electronic medical devices in the patient's room. If you are thinking of bringing in something bigger than a laptop, check with the nurses on that unit first.
Yes, I work in healthcare.
Paper and pencil? (Score:3, Insightful)
Why must hi-tech be the answer?
Why not use paper and pencil?
Are her hands free? She can gesture yes and no in a way that you can tell her to.
Really only TWO options available (Score:5, Insightful)
As far as having his GRANDMOTHER learn any new technological choices, while in a hospital, sedated, on a ventilator, in a neck brace - FORGET IT. She's not gonna learn sign language easily, except yes/no. If she can't even write, because of medication/delirium/whatever, then she's not going to be able to learn new ways of communicating.
Sounds like she's an old lady, and somewhat frail like many older people. Becoming intubated for a vertebrae fracture is not normal, so I think she probably has multiple medical problems (I'm a doctor).
Stick to what she knows, and is comfortable - and she will do better with it.
What are you thinking? Have some common sense. (Score:4, Insightful)
If your grandmother is on a respirator, the last thing she needs is for someone to interrogate her. She's your grandmother, not a dying secret agent.
Listen, just be with her where she can see you. Read a book. Hold her hand. Talk gently to her. Tell her that you're there. Tell her who is in the room with her. Tell her who is coming to see her. Tell her about news in the family. Tell her what your children have been up to.
You know, things people have done for thousands of years to comfort their loved ones who have fallen ill?
Turn off your ipod and your blackberry and think a little, man. Technology may not cause cancer, but apparently it has an affect on common sense.
Re:What are you thinking? Have some common sense. (Score:2, Insightful)
The last thing she really needs is to be told that the things she has to say don't matter.
Re:What are you thinking? Have some common sense. (Score:3, Insightful)
You sir have no idea what you are talking about. I had a close family member who was unable to communicate for weeks (among other disabilities). She said that was absolutely the worst part of her hospital experience.
Talking to a person who wants to talk back is little comfort. Being unable to communicate is being in prison, solitary confinement, whether there are other people there or not.