Affiliation:
1. Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX
2. Department of Communicative Disorders, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of persons with aphasia to access interaction and be included in social encounters in long-term care facilities (LTCFs).
Method
Four persons with aphasia were the focus of this investigation. A qualitative research approach using ethnographic methods was used to conduct participant observation, semistructured interviews, and artifact analysis. Expanded field notes from observations, transcribed interviews, and artifacts were then coded to identify patterns in the data.
Results
The interactional context of LTCFs negatively influenced the ability of persons with aphasia to communicate with others and develop meaningful relationships. Three major themes emerged from the data detailing the contextual elements leading to communication accessibility and inclusion: (a) lack of support, (b) social hierarchy, and (c) focus on performance.
Conclusions
Findings highlighted several barriers in LTCFs that worked to discourage persons with aphasia from living social and expressive lives. Specific obstacles included a misunderstanding of aphasia and its influence on communicative exchanges and performance-oriented environment that overlooked psychosocial needs. Speech-language pathologists have an important role for advocacy in LTCFs. Clinical implications for assessment and treatment in institutions are discussed.
Publisher
American Speech Language Hearing Association
Subject
Speech and Hearing,Linguistics and Language,Developmental and Educational Psychology,Otorhinolaryngology
Cited by
6 articles.
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