Stroke Victim Care Starts with Rehabilitation

Today I would like to discuss caring for someone who has suffered from a stroke, or Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA). A lot of what I have written thus far has been pertaining to the care of people with memory loss but there are many other illness that can affect older adults that will leave them with a need to be cared for.  When a loved one has suffered from a stroke, it can affect them in many different ways.  It can leave them with paralysis of one side of their body, difficulty with speech, difficulty with swallowing, changes in personality, memory loss or any combination of these things.  Caring for your loved one can be complex.
It is very important to be extremely involved in their rehabilitation program that should have begun while they are still in the hospital setting.  After their discharge, this program should continue into the home to help ensure that you are able to adequately manage their care.  Do not be afraid to ask questions of these therapists.  This rehabilitation time is very valuable to you and your loved one; it will not last forever and it will then be up to both of you to continue it when they are done.  Typically, initially after a CVA the effects can be significant but with good therapy some of the lost functions can be regained.

 

Physical Therapy (PT) offers the opportunity to increase your loved one's strength, regain their ability to walk, increase their balance and improve their overall movement.  This is important for any stroke victim no matter what losses that they may have.  A stroke, in general, exhausts your entire body and it needs to be built back up again.  PT is especially important if you have suffered paralysis as a result.  Physical therapists will work extensively at regaining your ability to walk.  They have valuable knowledge in devices such as specialized mobility devices that may be needed.  They will also work with their hands, elbows, knees and feet to prevent contractions from developing in their joints by using braces and stretching exercises to maintain their mobility.  It is vital that you learn these techniques so that you continue their treatment when the therapy ends.

Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on their activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, and other basic self-functioning skills.  These are especially important when you are ready to go home.  They will come to your home and help you set up your living area so that you can more easily and safely provide care.  Occupational therapists come with a wealth of knowledge of adaptive equipment that can be placed in your home to make the care of your loved one physically easier on you.  Do not hesitate to bring concerns you have to their attention.  Once again, the more involved you are in this rehabilitation program, the more success you and your loved one will have when you are on your own.

Speech Therapy helps your loved one relearn to speak more clearly or to take nourishment safely if their speech or swallowing has been affected as a result of the stroke.  In my experiences with these losses, many patients do regain a lot of what was initially lost.  Speech therapists will do pronunciation drills and oral exercises to improve their tongue and throat muscles.  They will explain what foods and drinks are safe for them to eat.   It is essential that you clearly understand any restrictions that they may have; you don't want to end up back in the hospital with pneumonia because they are silently aspirating food or drink.

This is just an overview of what I have seen in my work.  In my experiences with stroke victims, the families that are the most involved see the best results in the care of their loved one.  It can be managed at home if you are up for the challenge.  Most CVA victims still are very alert and oriented.  Being involved from the beginning with the rehabilitation process increases your chances for success at home.  It will increase their chances of Aging with Ease!