Stroke 2
Tips for the Stroke survivor
- Follow the daily rehabilitation exercises
- Take prescribed medications and make lifestyle changes.
- Participate in a stroke rehabilitation program
- Try using a word or picture book or board
- Use gestures and point to help get your message across
- Always carry a note/ card explaining your medical status
Tips for caregivers
- Find a quiet place when talking with a Stroke survivor
- Ask only one person to talk at a time
- Speak slowly and clearly
- Use your normal voice
- Avoid finishing sentences, interrupting or correcting
- Be patient - give the person time
- Pay close attention to gestures and facial expressions
More tips for caregivers
- Caregivers should in specific make changes in routines, attitudes and communication styles at home.
- It is important to know the possible side effects of medications.
- Home modifications with respect to making furniture and home appliances friendly to use for the patient is important.
Protect your heart, protect your brain!
Healthy brain is connected to healthy hearts.
Following unhealthy behaviors can lead to narrowing of the blood vessels. That reduces blood flow to the brain, and leads to hardening of the arteries of the heart and the brain.
Recent studies also state that unhealthy habits also contribute to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss and cognitive dysfunction.
Mental Health
Post-stroke depression is common, with as many as 30-50 percent of stroke survivors developing depression in the early or later phases post stroke.
Post-stroke depression can significantly affect your loved one’s recovery and rehabilitation.
Consult a psychologist to develop a plan of action.
Reduce risks
Survivors who have had one stroke are at high risk of having another one if the treatment recommendations are not followed.
Make sure your loved one eats a healthy diet, exercises (taking walks is a great exercise), takes medications as prescribed, and has regular visits with their physician to help prevent a second stroke.
