People with aphasia have less diverse social networks than healthy older adults, with friendships particularly affected.
In a National Aphasia Association survey, 90% felt they were socially isolated and 70% felt others avoided contact with them.
“Aphasia, more than any other stroke-related factor, can challenge a person’s ability to maintain a strong social network in the months following a stroke” (Northcott et al., 2016, p. 10).
Research shows there is a seismic loss of friends for people with aphasia, even when compared to people with brain injuries without aphasia
(Hilari & Northcott, 2017).
Communication disabilities can make people become isolated.
They can negatively affect quality of life. A stroke survivor with aphasia is 7 times more likely to exhibit post stroke depression than a stroke survivor without aphasia.
