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Essay / Aphasia Essay - 1022
Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that disrupts communication and can impair a person's coping potential and quality of life (Parr, 2001), which which involves damage to the parts of the brain that contain language (ASHA, 2013). Statistics from the United States indicate that approximately 25-40% of stroke survivors develop aphasia (National Association of Aphasia, NAA, 2013). Aphasia will affect both the ability to produce or understand spoken language and written language while leaving intelligence intact (NAA, 2013). In the United States, the most common cause of aphasia has been found to be stroke (85%) and others including traumatic brain injury (TBI), brain tumors, or other degenerative diseases (NAA, 2013). Strokes not only affect the patient's life. but also their loved ones, especially the caregiver. The caregiver is identified as the “hidden patient” (Andolstek et al, 1988). Families retain primary responsibility for the care of older people with chronic illness and disability (Montgomery et al, 1985). The effects of caregiving extend to physical health (Grafstrom et al, 1992; Kiecolt-Glasier et al, 1991), mental well-being (Cochrane et al, 1997), and social life (Luterman, D ., 2008; Bakas et al, 2006). Research has illustrated the link between aphasia and depression (Robinson, Murata, & Shimoda, 1999), social isolation (Sarno Taylor, 1997), and low self-esteem (Herrmann & Wallesch, 1989). Kauhanen and colleagues (2000) conducted research to investigate the prevalence and cause of post-stroke aphasia and to study the mental, neurological, and cognitive correlates in 106 patients with a first ischemic stroke. The prevalence of major depression increased from 11 to 33% during the first year. Caregivers not only had to deal with ...... middle of paper ......rden and the stress induced by people with aphasia as a consequence of a stroke on their caregivers. This is mainly due to communication problems and the intensive care they have to provide over a long period of time. We need local data because the context of Malaysia is different from that of foreign countries where such research is conducted, such as the United States and the United Kingdom. The stroke care system in developing countries such as China and Malaysia is sparse, with the quality and quantity of stroke care varying across regions with different incomes (Brainin, 2007). Some provide excellent care, but some areas have serious needs for rehabilitation services, depending on patients' location, socioeconomic status, education, and cultural beliefs (Brainin, 2007). All of these factors will lead to different rehabilitation outcomes and thus also affect caregiver burden..