Hello,

 

I just thought perhaps this may help with commination issues with patients forwarding you some of the basic info we give to our pALS.

 

The communication partners / caregivers will need to learn a strategy called "partner assisted scanning"  Please see instructions in the attachment.  Patient and caregivers can adapt any of these tools to their needs.

 

1 )  Eye gaze alphabet board w instructions (see attachment below). Be sure to read instructions.  They provide good strategies for all non-verbal communication. 

 

2 )  Make a top ten requests list

 

example:

 

1 - Bathroom

2 - Hungry

3-Thirsty / clean my mouth

4-reposition me

5-Bed (back to bed)

 

etc.

 

Make a large easy to read chart with the choices.  Communication partner/caregiver reads numbers down list.  Establish a way to select that works for the patient (pt looks up or bites teeth loudly).  Do not choose blink for selecting - it is too confusing. 

 

3 ) Here is a resource for other low tech communication board that can be adapted for partner assisted scanning (see instruction under number 1). 

 

4) Consider using a laser pointer with this flashlight holder instead of partner assisted scanning to make choices on a communication and/ or alphabet board

 

Nite Ize Headband - https://smile.amazon.com/Nite-Ize-Headband-Flashlight-Holder-Black/dp/B004YUC71W/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1467393689&sr=8-3&keywords=nite+ize+headband

 

Laser pointer - https://smile.amazon.com/Silvercell-Wireless-Presenter-PowerPoint-Presentation/dp/B015XUWKSQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1467393815&sr=8-7&keywords=laser+pointer

 

4 ) If pt. has financial resources to pay out of pocket (approx. $1000).  This is a great tool that can be used with communication software on a windows based tablet (not ipad)  http://www.quha.com/products-2/zono/.  It needs to be purchased from an authorized dealer.  If she is interested, I can put her in touch with someone.  If she has the means to buy something like this, she would also need to consider the cost of a tablet computer ($500), computer mount ($200-$500) and communication software ($150)  Much less expensive than an eyegaze device, but still a lot for most people to pay out of pocket.