By Ellyn Mantell
Having been a speech therapist years ago, I have always valued the importance of language. Babies respond with receptive language, and toddlers use their own expressive language. “NO!” is usually their first attempt at manipulating their environment. Putting two words together is the next challenge, and then, suddenly, they are expressing their thoughts and their needs. It all layers upon itself from there.
Therapy has changed over these many years, and today’s therapy is more language-centered than focused on production of the sounds. Seniors struggle with informing us of their thoughts because the ability to retrieve words is compromised, and the ability to put the words together in a form that makes sense is lessened. The listener loses interest in what the person has to say, tells themselves it is rude to pry, walks away, or simply decides the conversation is meaningless. Self-esteem suffers terribly, and for those who went through life with an ability to engage in meaningful conversation, the lack of clarity becomes humiliating. As children we learned to feel pride in our capability, but now we feel demoralized in our inability to do the same.
Much goes into having a cohesive conversation with another person, and when there is impairment, such as what occurs as we age, it makes for a more difficult connection. Add to that the reality that many seniors have significant hearing loss. For me, the hearing loss I have experienced is not ameliorated with higher volume. Mine is in the inability to hear the ends of words in conversation. Attempting to follow or add to a conversation while working so hard to hear each and every word is so distracting to me. I am fortunate that my audiologist was able to assist me in solving my issue, and I gratefully put in my hearing aids every day.
Although the many games available online, such as Wordle, Spelling Bee, Connections, and Strands are solitary, they stimulate the language center located on the left side of the brain. Joining with friends to select the next day’s word for Wordle, for example, enables us to continue language interaction. Sharing holds us accountable and may help with frustration when the answer isn’t apparent. Even online hints can increase language awareness.
Group living is a benefit for language stimulation and has helped many maintain their capability to interact long beyond what they might have experienced living alone. Simply reading the daily horoscope together or playing Bingo keeps the language center engaged. Socialization is the key to feeling comfortable with speaking. We well know that if we don’t use something, we lose it. Please continue to speak with those you love, even if they have difficulty retrieving words, they very well might have something important, and loving, to say!