Each year nearly 800,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke. A stroke can happen to anyone at any time. A stroke is usually unexpected and sudden, and most people do not have a plan for what to do when one occurs or know how to return to normalcy afterward. When a loved one has survived a stroke, they will experience many physical and mental challenges along the road to recovery. Some survivors will recover completely, but more than 2/3 of survivors will, unfortunately, have some type of disability. Keep reading to learn how in-home care services can help family caregivers care for a loved one after a stroke.
Caring for a Loved One After a Stroke: In-Home Care Can Help Family Caregivers
Strokes are one of those unhappy surprises that life dishes out. For relatives of a stroke victim, it can leave them reeling with mixed feelings of fear, anxiety, shock, and worry about another stroke. The changes that occur to a person who suffers from a stroke can be mild to severe, but they are life-altering for everyone who is close to them.
What is A Stroke?
A stroke, often referred to as a “brain attack,” occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients. This sudden interruption can have severe consequences, including potential brain damage and loss of function in the affected area.
There are two primary types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes, which account for about 85% of all strokes, occur when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery supplying blood to the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes, on the other hand, result from a weakened blood vessel that ruptures and causes bleeding into the brain.
Signs and Symptoms
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke is crucial for prompt medical intervention. Common symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion; trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; difficulty walking; dizziness; or severe headache with no known cause.
Immediate medical attention is essential when a stroke is suspected. The acronym FAST can help remember the signs of stroke:
- F: Face drooping: Is one side of the person’s face drooping or numb? Ask them to smile to check for facial weakness.
- A: Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms to see if one arm drifts downward.
- S: Speech difficulty: Is speech slurred or difficult to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence to assess their speech.
- T: Time to call emergency services: If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call for emergency medical assistance immediately.
By recognizing the signs of stroke and seeking immediate medical attention, caregivers can help minimize the long-term impact and improve outcomes for their loved ones.
Recovery Process & Returning Home
In addition to immediate medical treatment, stroke survivors often require long-term rehabilitation to regain lost functions and improve their quality of life. Rehabilitation may include physical therapy to improve mobility and strength, working with an occupational therapist to regain skills for daily living, and speech therapy to address communication difficulties.
After experiencing a stroke and spending some recovery time in the hospital, it’s only human that seniors want to return home to their independent lifestyles. While many stroke survivors are able to make a full recovery with few or no long-term effects, an important part of this recovery involves in-home care for the senior.
If your aging parent has suffered from a stroke, you may find yourself in a sudden position as a caregiver. This can be stressful and overwhelming; even frustrating at times. Most people are not trained to handle the side effects of a stroke unless they are in a healthcare profession. Therefore, there is a lot of mystery about what to do, what to expect, how to handle certain things, as well as the emotional aspects.
9 Tips to Help You and Your Loved One Cope with the Situation
Brace yourself for the changes, but try to be compassionate.
1. Smile
No matter how angry, frustrated, or hopeless you feel, put a smile on your face in front of your loved one. They need you more than ever, and this one big thing can be the most difficult to do.
2. Encourage independence
Oftentimes, caregivers assume that the person recovering from a stroke cannot do anything on their own. However, by encouraging them to do things that they are capable of doing, you can help them recover.
3. Be patient
It will take longer to do normal things, so don’t give up and do them yourself simply due to impatience.
4. Suggest participation and activities
Don’t let your loved one turn into a bump on a log; encourage participation throughout the rehabilitation process. Bring them along on activities they once enjoyed doing.
5. Forge connections with healthcare providers
Getting help and support through the difficult stages of stroke recovery can help preserve your sanity and your own well-being.
6. Don’t overlook your own needs
You don’t need to stop doing the things you enjoy, such as exercising or getting adequate sleep and time to bathe.
7. Surround yourself with positive people
If you have friends through a church, rec center, work colleagues, or another support system, it can help tremendously. They also have support groups for caregivers in some communities.
8. Take breaks
You do not need to devote every second to attending to the stroke patient, you need some time for yourself, too.
9. Hire an in-home caregiver service to help
Even if only a few days each week, having extra time to yourself is essential. In-home care services can be tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of each individual. From respite care to companion care and personal care services, in-home care helps provide families peace of mind knowing their loved ones receive consistent and high-quality care.
Learn more: Selecting the Right In-Home Care Professional
Just remember, you will get through this. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, take each day at a time. It may be tough sometimes, but your relative needs you to be strong and supportive during this time of need.
Responsibilities of Caregiving
It’s important that stroke survivors and caregivers strive to be partners in their recovery efforts. It’s often a challenge for both to adjust to their changed roles, however, the adjustment may be easier if both parties share in decision-making and share their feelings honestly.
Common responsibilities of caregiving include:
- Providing physical help with personal care and transportation
- Managing financial, legal, and business affairs
- Monitoring behavior to ensure safety
- Managing housework and meal preparation
- Coordinating health care and monitoring medications
- Helping the survivor maintain learned rehabilitation skills and work to improve them
- Providing emotional support for the patient and family members
- Encouraging the patient to be as independent as possible
How to Communicate Effectively as a Caregiver
As a caregiver, you have to communicate with many people including your loved ones, family, friends, co-workers, bosses, healthcare professionals, and insurance companies. Constructive and effective communication is key to your success. Although your time and patience may be stretched thin, it’s important to stay organized, separate your emotions from your conversations, and keep on the subject for each person you talk to.
Here are some simple guidelines to help you stay focused and get the best results:
Talking to Your Family
When talking to your family, talk openly about your fears, worries, and needs, and remember that everyone is feeling the pressure and insecurity of the situation so try to be patient.
Talking to Healthcare Professionals
When talking to healthcare professionals, write all your questions down to make sure you get all topics covered. Try to separate your anger and frustration about the situation from your feelings about the doctor; remember, you are both on the same side
Talking to Your Loved One
When talking to your loved one, give both of you time to accept what has happened and realize that your roles may have changed. Understand that stroke can have a big impact on your loved one’s ability to communicate, especially if your loved one has aphasia. Be willing to accept any and all forms of communication as equally valid including gestures, writing, drawing, notebook, intonation, and speech.
Many people find caring for another person very rewarding. However, there are times when post-stroke needs can be too much for any one person. There are resources available in the community that can help. In-home care is the best way to ensure your loved one receives the best care after a stroke. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Promedcare | In-Home Care Services in Fremont, Columbus, Norfolk, & Blair, NE
Our goal is to keep you or your loved one healthy, happy, and safe at home. The Promedcare team of management and caregivers understands the importance of providing care within the comfort of one’s own home. Families choose Promedcare for different reasons.
For some, it’s to provide extensive ongoing care for an aging senior. For others, we offer a much-needed break or, respite care – such as a night out with a spouse, vacation, or simply a few hours of quiet time at home – for family members who provide regular care. We offer a wide range of care services customized for each individual client.
Promedcare services include Personal Care Services, Companion Care Services, Dementia / Alzheimer’s Care Services, and Respiratory Solutions.
Contact us today to see how Prodmedcare can help you!