It might seem a bit daunting but trying an online session might be a good experience.
The Stroke Association has a regular program of online events which cater for those with Aphasia.
It is run in a friendly, gentle and understanding manner. Carers are welcome too.
Your husband might find it is stimulating and supportive.
I given all those exercises such as tracing wiggly lines, letters, etc, by my OT, and needed them and got myself more off Amazon…or rather my hubby ordered them for me And yes, if his stroke hand is his dominant hand, then he wants to relearn how use it again, and to write again doesn’t he? But then putting pen to paper and just starting to try and write is also just as good
As well as @SimonInEdinburgh’s suggestions there are also puzzles like Flowfree, Hashi, Water Connect, Mahjong, even jigsaw puzzles are all good for logic, problem solving, dexterity, concentration, etc.
He’s not stupid at all, as any stroke survivor will tell you; it’s just, so few people dare to or are not able to make hospital staff aware of that fact. And it’s unfortunate that the staff don’t get to spend nearly enough time with their patients to realise this. I was in hospital during the lockdowns so had no one to speak for me. I couldn’t speak and was also losing my hearing. That would start off well at the beginning of the day but gradually petered out by the end of the day. So I can understand their dilemma when I think of how many stroke patients they see in a day. I suppose it must be as hard for staff as it is for the patients in many ways.
Thankyou for your reply . To be fair most of the nurses have been brilliant with him on the ward he is on now. Its just the odd one that talks like that. When his sister visited she said hello and he just looked at her. She looked at me and said "Can he hear me? Can he understand me? Before I could reply he said "Yes! Yes!" . When they tested his mental capacity he was getting mad when they showed him some pictures and asked him to point to the dog etc. He thought they were making out his was stupid! He’s certainly not that. They just tried to explain it was to find out what parts of the brain was affected and what he could understand.
Just thought I’d give an update. Kev has been home for two weeks. Things are going ok apart from him having a bit of a chest infection but we got on top of it early so he is on antibiotics and is fine. Most importantly he didn’t have to go back into hospital. The carers are all brilliant and we are getting into a routine. Its not easy sometimes but its great to have him home. I’ve noticed his speech is improving. He is saying a few more things each day and I have even been able to make him laugh everyday! . Physio from the community are coming to see us tomorrow. I didn’t sleep much for the first few days but thats getting better and last night was the best sleep I’d had. Just waiting to get him a chair sorted so we can get him out of bed. Occupational therapy said they will come out with a rep to see what will be suitable for him with his balance issues etc. Everythings a waiting game. Anyway, thats enough of me going on! . Hope everyone is well.
@paula123 great to hear that things are going well and that you are settling into a routine. There’s nowhere better than home to start to recuperate properly & it seems like Kev is happier there too.
Hope you get the chair sorted soon. That should help with chest infections too.
I’m sure as time goes on your sleep will improve as you worry less but do take time out for yourself too.
You were all right about the many ups and downs following a stroke . So at the moment I am sat in A&E with him. They are treating him for sepsis until they find the source of infection. Started yesterday with really bad shivering like the flu, coughing, clammy and sweating a lot. He has been more confused/agitated over the last day or two. Was thinking it was something to do with the stroke until I read its a symptom of sepsis . Hopefully he can get over this setback and come home soon .
Just thought I would update you on how things are going, He got over the sepsis pretty quick and was back home in a week! So today it is 2 months since he first came home and yesterday it was 6 months since the stroke. He is struggling with pains in his legs which are getting worse the longer he has to stay in bed and it is getting harder for the carers to get him comfortable. Still waiting for a chair for him! They came and measured him up for one and we should have it in about four weeks. On the plus side his speech has improved a lot since he came home. There are still things that I struggle to understand but from how he was six months ago it is a massive improvement. We have heard the grant has been approved for the adaptions so we are just waiting for the contractors to give us a date. After that they will be able to assess him for a wheelchair and we can get him out of the bedroom!! Can’t wait as its starting to get him down. So even though its not easy at times things are going ok. Hope everyone is well!
Thank you for sharing the update. Sounds like things are moving in the right direction & once you get the chair & adaptations I’m sure life will get that little bit easier.
Could heperhaps do a few little leg exercises on the bed to try & helpwoth the pain ? It might not be possible but was just a thought.
Really hope you get the things you need in place very soon.
Hi . Thanks for your reply . When he does let me do exercises I just do some gentle movements as much as he can stand. Sometimes its five minutes but other times he won’t let me do any . Just keep encouraging him. Trying to get on top of his pain relief at the moment xx
And yes, if his stroke hand is his dominant hand, then he wants to relearn how use it again, and to write again doesn’t he? But then putting pen to paper and just starting to try and write is also just as good 
. When they tested his mental capacity he was getting mad when they showed him some pictures and asked him to point to the dog etc. He thought they were making out his was stupid! He’s certainly not that. They just tried to explain it was to find out what parts of the brain was affected and what he could understand.
. Hope everyone is well.