Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Help your loved one overcome difficulties
• Part 2 of 3: Help a loved one with treatment
• Part 3 of 3: Show Your Support
• Tips

A stroke is a type of brain injury that can cause a variety of physical and emotional symptoms, depending on which part of the brain is affected. This situation can be daunting for the person being hit, as well as for family and friends who need to adjust to new circumstances. When a loved one has experienced a stroke, then you will have to adjust to help him recover - these changes in your life can be both temporary and permanent. It is always important to remember that the condition of a loved one will naturally improve over time, and therapy will allow you to achieve even greater results. At the same time, when helping a loved one recover from a stroke, it is important not to forget about yourself.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Help your loved one overcome difficulties

1. 1 Make moving around your home more accessible. Each person experiences the consequences of a blow differently; hemiparesis (or paralysis) of the left or right side of the body or just the arms or legs are common consequences of a stroke. In addition, balance and coordination problems are common. Therefore, you may need to make changes to the layout of the house so that your loved one (who is now likely to have problems with movement) can freely move around the house. When considering how to transform your home environment to make it more comfortable for a stroke survivor, consider the following guidelines:
   • Move the bed to the first floor so that the person does not have to climb the stairs, as the risk of falling is very high.
   • Make the passage to all important areas (including the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen) more accessible. Fewer obstacles will reduce the chance of falling. This includes the absence of all sorts of small rugs.
   • Set up a shower seat so the person can sit down while bathing.Secure handrails for easy bathing or showering, and place them near the toilet so you can lean on when you need to get up and down.
   • Place the boat by the bed. The use of a chamber pot is especially recommended if the person experiences a loss of balance or disorientation, as it helps to avoid falls, which can lead to further complications.
   • If the stairs are unavoidable, set up a handrail to make it easier for your loved one to get up and down. The physical therapist will work with the patient to help them learn to walk again, including re-learning the skills of climbing and descending stairs.
2. 2 Help move around. Acquired lack of movement is one of the most common conditions that people experience after a stroke. A person who was previously mobile and independent may now walk slowly and uncertainly, or even be bedridden. Surely your loved one will need help in getting around, at least for some time after a stroke.
   • Assistive devices will be a good aid in movement. It is worth consulting with a physical therapist to determine which device is best for you. This can be a wheelchair, walker, or cane, depending on the severity of the problem.
   • Support and encourage your loved one to regain freedom of movement. Any opportunity to do something without using assistive devices is a cause for celebration.
3. 3 Create a safe environment. Falls and accidents are unfortunately quite common after a stroke. Make the safety of your loved one a top priority to avoid unnecessary side effects and complications that may be associated with a stroke, although not directly caused by it.
   • Place a railing around the bed and lower it if necessary. A fence is needed at night to prevent falling due to imbalance or disorientation, and the bed should be lowered so that you do not have to "scramble" onto it.
   • If frequently used items (for example, pots and pans) are in hard-to-reach places (for example, in a tall cabinet), move them. Make sure that things that are often used are in a place where your loved one will have free access to them.
   • Always be there if you need help when pruning trees, clearing snow, painting your home, or any other activity with an increased risk of accidents.
4. 4 Learn feeding techniques. Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. After a stroke, a person may have difficulty eating and drinking because the muscles involved in chewing and swallowing may be weakened (especially immediately after a stroke). Therefore, it is important to help your loved one adjust to the new way of eating and drinking so that they get enough food.
   • After a stroke, especially in the early stages, it is often necessary to use a tube feeding tube. In particularly difficult cases, the feeding tube becomes a must-have device to allow the person who has had a stroke to get enough nutrients.
   • If a person has to be fed through a percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tube, which is inserted directly into the stomach, make sure that it is not damaged, it is working properly and is protected from infections, and there is no possibility of the patient pulling it out.
   • Your loved one will have to go through a test called a swallow test to get a doctor to assess their ability to swallow food. Speech therapy and x-rays will help the doctor determine when it is safe for the patient to switch from liquid food to harder food.
   • When your loved one can eat without the aid of medical devices, prepare soft foods for them.People who begin to eat naturally after a stroke should start with such dishes in order to avoid aspiration pneumonia. You can find thickeners in stores to thicken soups and juices. You can also use gelatin, cornmeal, or oatmeal for this purpose.
   • Sit the person upright to avoid aspiration pneumonia during meals, which occurs when food enters the lungs. Since the swallowing muscles are weakened, this position during meals is especially important. This will keep your meals safe and enjoyable.
5. 5 Pay attention to the problem of incontinence. Stroke can cause a lack of complete control over the bladder and bowels. This can create conditions for the development of infection or inflammation, as well as cause embarrassment. It is important to recognize if this happens, and together with a loved one take measures to help him get better.
   • For those who cannot use the overnight boat or walk to the restroom, special diapers for adults are suitable. They can be purchased at almost any pharmacy. Advise the person to wear them until they regain full control over body functions.
   • You will need to help your loved one by changing the diaper immediately after a bowel movement. Otherwise, it can lead to flaky skin, inflammation and possible infection in the area.
6. 6 Deal with speech center problems. Most stroke survivors have speech problems, at least temporarily. The severity of a stroke often determines how severe the speech impairment will be. Some patients cannot correctly formulate statements, while others do not understand what has been said. Due to paralysis, some people are unable to pronounce words correctly, although the cognitive aspect of speech functions normally. It is very important to help your loved one overcome communication problems.
   • Make sure the person does not have a hearing problem before attempting to address speech center problems. It can also cause difficulties with speech, and the situation can be corrected with the help of a hearing aid.
   • Explore the different types of speech complications. For example, determine if your loved one is suffering from aphasia (when the person can think clearly, but is unable to speak or perceive information) or apraxia (when the person has difficulty putting sounds together correctly).
   • Use short words and non-verbal communication such as hand gestures, nodding, pointing at objects. The patient should not be asked too many questions at the same time and should be given sufficient time to answer. Any form of communication will do.
   • For communication, you can also use visual images - tables, alphabet cards, electronic devices, objects and pictures. This will help the person overcome the frustration of not being able to communicate effectively.
7. 7 Create a day plan to make your loved one feel more at ease. Establishing a daily schedule can help make difficulties such as communication problems less acute. Knowing their routines, a person will expect certain activities, and family members will be able to anticipate his needs. This relieves stress for both the patient and the caregiver.
8. 8 Watch for emotional changes. A stroke has both physical and emotional consequences. First, a stroke can cause personality changes that can negatively impact relationships. Second, mood swings can occur, including depression, anxiety, and pseudobulbar syndrome. You need to be vigilant and notice any changes in the emotional state of your loved one.
   • Depression affects one to two thirds of all stroke survivors, and a quarter to half of all patients are affected by pseudobulbar syndrome.
   • Convince your loved one to get treatment. Medication and medical advice have a positive impact, and often the costs associated with them are covered by insurance.

Part 2 of 3: Help a loved one with treatment

1. 1 Remember all medications and treatment program. After your loved one has been discharged from the hospital, you will need to monitor the medication and all prescriptions. This is an important role and should not be taken lightly. Helping your loved one stick to their medication and treatment schedule will greatly help their recovery.
   • Write down all medications and times when you need to take them. Make sure the patient does not miss any medication. Advance planning is very important to avoid delays.
   • Understand any side effects that the prescribed drugs may cause. Observe any possible manifestations.
   • Talk to your doctor about how to take your medication. You need to understand which medications are intended for oral administration, which ones need to be mixed with food; which - after eating, and which - on an empty stomach.
   • It is also important to strictly adhere to the time of your next doctor's appointment. This will help to identify at an early stage any problems that may arise during the rehabilitation process and prevent complications associated with late treatment. You will have to remind your loved one about the visit to the doctor and take him to the clinic.
   • Record your medication time or set a reminder on your phone to help you keep track of your treatment. Look for apps built to remind you to take your medications, and use calendars to keep track of your rehab.
   • Learn to forgive yourself when you make a mistake. If you do not give a pill on time or are late for a therapy session, do not torture yourself. Feelings of guilt will not benefit you or your loved one.
2. 2 Check out the treatment exercises and activities. It will be good to attend a therapy session at least once in order to better understand what exercises and actions a person should perform at home after a stroke. Try to repeat the exercises with your doctor and patient.
   • Having a physical therapist nearby while learning the exercise will greatly simplify the task. The doctor will correct mistakes and advise on how best to help the patient with these treatment procedures.
3. 3 Check out the goals of the rehabilitation process that the doctor has set. Understanding the goals of the rehabilitation process (that is, the expected result or results) will help you better understand the time frame of the recovery period and track progress. You can also force the patient to do exercises if there are inconsistencies between the established program and its actual implementation.
   • Constantly support your loved one so that he does not lose heart. Recovering from a stroke can be challenging, but it's important to keep your loved one on track.
   • Rehabilitation often takes 6 months to a year. It is very important to be involved in the recovery process at all times to ensure progress.
   • Celebrate any improvements and work on what remains unchanged. If there is no change over a long period, talk with your doctor about changing your treatment regimen.
4. 4 Understand when to call your doctor. There are several situations in which an additional visit to the doctor may be necessary. When your loved one is working to recover from a serious brain injury, it is important to monitor their health and wellness at all times.
   • Don't ignore falls. Falls occur quite often during rehabilitation.They can cause further complications and deterioration. In the event of a fall, the patient must be urgently taken to the hospital for a medical examination in order to rule out serious health problems.
   • remember, that within a year after a stroke, there is a high risk of a second stroke... You must clearly recognize the warning signs of a stroke and know who to contact if your loved one has them, which includes:
     • facial paralysis;
     • weakness in the arms;
     • difficulty speaking;
     • sudden numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially one side of the body;
     • visual impairment in one or both eyes;
     • unexpected movement problems, dizziness, loss of balance;
     • a sharp, severe headache for no specific reason.

Part 3 of 3: Show Your Support

1. 1 Be patient. Try to listen to what the person says after the stroke, even if their speech is distorted and looks like mumbling. Understand that he wants to communicate, but he cannot, and it upsets him no less than you do. Talk to him. Even if he cannot answer. While communication can be very frustrating at first, it is important that family members help strengthen this activity. This often leads to great success in rehabilitation. Your positive attitude and patience will help your loved one get better faster.
2. 2 Cheer up your loved one. It can take months and years for a stroke patient to recover. He may have to re-learn some things, and maybe he will never fully recover. Such people often experience depression, some experience helplessness, depression and fear. This is why the family plays such an important role in the healing process.
   • It is important to make the person feel that they are not alone. Immediately after a stroke, a person may worry about their job, how they will take care of themselves (or who will take care of them), how quickly they will recover (and whether they will be "normal" again).
   • Talk to your loved one about their emotions. Ask how he is feeling and stay positive no matter what happens.
3. 3 Become a part of the progress of your loved one. Families who are actively involved in the rehabilitation process become a strong, enduring source of support. Understand the damage caused by a stroke, and discuss a plan for recovery with your loved one. Understanding the healing process will allow you to show more empathy and support for the stroke survivor.
   • Attend therapy sessions with your loved one. Take maximum part in everything, cheer up with smiles and words every time you get the opportunity. This is a great way to show your loved one that you are interested in their recovery and are involved in the process.
   • At the same time, remember that this is his treatment, and he must be able to make decisions and control the situation. Don't turn into a dictator - ask him what he wants and grant as much autonomy as possible.
4. 4 Support expressions of independence. After a stroke, a person may feel helpless, and you need to make every effort to give him confidence in his own strength. He may suffer from incontinence, have problems with speech or movement, that is, experience difficulties with those things that seem completely mundane in our daily life. Provide all possible help when you can (and when it is necessary), as well as express support and approval for any manifestation of independence - be it a few steps without a walker, the desire to answer the phone, trying to write a note. Since the safety of your loved one is your highest priority, you should keep the following in mind:
   • Evaluate the person's capabilities (or ask their doctor or physical therapist for help) to better understand what activities they may or may not be able to do (and which should not be done).This distinction will help you determine when you can stimulate the loved one to take action on their own without unnecessary risk.
   • Encourage the patient to do the exercises learned in the therapy session. Do them together until he can do them on his own.
   • Support treatment choices. If a stroke survivor wants to undergo rehabilitation at home or in a hospital, try to give them maximum freedom of choice. When the ability to make decisions is severely shaken by a stroke, it is often the family and therapists who feel that they know better what the patient wants. But it’s possible to make significant progress in the recovery process only if the stroke survivor has the right to make important decisions on his own.
5. 5 Join the community of stroke survivors and their caregivers. You can find many of these support groups on the internet. By joining a group, you can download a variety of information, such as practical advice for caregivers, or share your own advice (and get advice from others). You can also connect with people who are going through the same situation as you and your loved one.
6. 6 Take care of yourself. Every family member who actively cares for the patient should also take care of their own condition. This means that sometimes you need to take a break and ask someone in the family to take over for you for a short time. To be able to help your loved one, you also need to stay healthy and happy.
   • Maintain balance in your own life: eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, and enjoy everything you loved before your loved one had a stroke.

Tips

• Remember that everything may not return to the state it was before the stroke, but there is nothing wrong with that. You will set a new "norm" with patience, perseverance, empathy and dedication.