Phones after stroke and with aphasia: what works

Aphasia makes text-based phones hard

With aphasia, reading and word-finding can be affected even when thinking is intact. A contact list of names demands exactly what is hardest.

A photo demands no language at all. Recognising a face is a different route in, and that route is usually still open.

Reduced strength or sensation in one hand

Many people have reduced strength or sensation in one hand. The phone must work one-handed, sit steady in a charging cradle and offer large targets.

Small icons and swipe gestures are hard. Large tiles covering a third of the screen are easy.

Answering matters as much as calling

What makes relatives stop calling is that nobody picks up. A small green slider that must be swiped sideways is often the reason.

Look for a solution where the whole screen is the answer button and the caller's photo is shown large.

Needs change during rehabilitation

Right after a stroke the need may be maximum simplicity. Six months later the person may manage more again.

So choose something that needs no new hardware. An ordinary Android phone locked down today can be reset to a normal phone later, with nothing bought in vain.

Talk to the speech and occupational therapist

When communication aids are assessed, it is usually the occupational therapist or speech therapist who sees what works. Bring the phone to the appointment and try it there — it takes 20–30 minutes.