Understanding stroke recovery
When a family member has a serious injury or illness, other members of the family may take on extra duties.
Family involvement is very important in the recovery of a person after a stroke. Because recovery is unpredictable and can vary from months to years, members of the family can become physically and emotionally worn down. Aspects that tend to wear down family members or other care givers include:
- Providing physical care, such as toileting, bathing, and feeding
- Having to repeat information frequently because of memory problems
- Managing behavioral or emotional outbursts
- Managing work and home responsibilities
- Financial strain
Tips for caregivers
Role changes are when a person takes on someone else’s responsibilities, either temporarily or permanently. These can be difficult. It is normal for a person to feel anger, guilt, and/or frustration. Often these feelings arise due to the subsequent inequality of the new roles people take on in order to assist a family member following a serious injury or illness.
Here are some tips to help the household adjust:
- Try to get back into a household routine.
- Create lists of different tasks and allow family members to choose the tasks for which they will be responsible.
- Find a balance between rest and responsibility. Set necessary boundaries.
- As much as possible, share decision-making between the caregiver and person recovering from stroke. Offer safe, appropriate choices.
- Position yourself so that you can speak to the injured person face-to-face. Use a normal tone of voice. Talk to the person like you would any other adult. Speak in short, simple sentences. Provide clear feedback as to whether or not you understood what was said.
- Provide positive, verbal feedback to the person recovering from stroke.
- Be patient.
Home modifications
- Keep the house free of clutter to eliminate potential hazards, such as loose wires, toys, and papers.
- Remove throw rugs. If the rugs must be kept, apply non-skid rubber backing to keep them secure.
- Ensure stairwells have handrails on both sides.
- Improve lighting throughout the home.
- Use non-skid decals in the tub or shower.
- Install grab bars or hand rails near the tub, shower, and toilet.
- The bed, chairs, and toilet seats should be high enough to get up from easily.
- Assess the position of the bed and need for safety rails, or position one side against a wall.
- A bedside commode for the night prevents having to get up and walk when tired.
- Chairs that have a firm seat and two arm rests make them safer than a low, soft sofa seat.
- Remove unstable furniture or anything with castor wheels.
- Get a medical alert system monitoring service that allows a person to push a button if a fall or emergency occurs.
- Keep frequently used items within easy reach and avoid high storage shelves.
- Set up your phones with easy access to call family members.
Tips for patients recovering from stroke
Some people recovering from stroke may have difficulty controlling their emotions. This can result in rapid mood changes and/or inappropriate emotional responses. Depression is also common. Recognize that various emotional reactions following a stroke are to be expected. Some of these emotions include frustration, anxiety, anger, and apathy.
Here are some tips to help manage emotional changes:
- Some emotional and behavioral changes can be treated with medication. Talk to your doctor to discuss options.
- Stay as active as possible. Seek out family and friends.
- Join a stroke support group.
- Follow set routines daily. Create schedules and place them around the house. Use aids such as calendars, alarms, and cell phones to remember appointments.
- Seek out quiet times during the day to rest.
- Relax and take your time.
- Communicate in your own way. Use words, gestures, facial expressions, and props, as needed, to help. Try communication aids such as topic or cue cards, communication boards, and pictures.