Don’ts

What Should the Family Avoid Doing?

Do not feel sorry for the patient. Feeling sorry may adversely affect the patient’s self- confidence.
Do not speak or volunteer to speak for the patient unless the patient asks or it is required.
Do not readily supply a word to the patient if you cannot get an immediate response. Supply a word only to minimize the patient's frustration.
Do not ask the patient to do things which he/she is unable to do.
Do not insist that the patient speak the correct word or sentence in the event of a mistake. Such insistence will only cause frustration.
Do not discourage the patient from communicating regardless of how he/she does it (speaking, gesturing, or writing).
Do not offer false hope of cure to the patient.
Do not keep the patient away from family and friends.
Do not be discouraged if the patient cries. Crying is a natural form of expression.
Do not ignore the patient while conversing with others.

The Family Guide (Facts about Aphasia and Stroke) has been published in Bengali and is available on request from Ratna Sagar Publishers, New Delhi.

This association cannot offer any medical advice or assess any medical-neurological condition.