Stroke Support - How Others Can Help

Stroke support extends beyond the medical staff and caregiver. Family and friends can significantly assist the stroke patient's recovery.

Socializing with family and friends is an important part of stroke recovery.  But as a stroke survivor, you may have trouble doing the very things that allow you to connect with other people – talking on the phone, understanding what people say, writing letters, taking walks, shopping, getting around or eating out. This can make you feel disconnected and alone at a time when you need more social support than ever before.

Family gives a sense of belonging, completeness, and use in life. Family members suffering from stroke need more than ever to be connected to family. Stroke survivors may not be able to immediately resume their previous roles, but still need to be included. Family and friends can provide important emotional support. They can help you continue your rehabilitation at home.

Here are some specific ideas on how you can help:

• While a stroke patient is still in the hospital, family members can approach the hospital staff to learn as much as they can about the post-hospital care. Nurses can help train you with such things as performing wheelchair transfers, dealing with bowel or bladder incontinence, and avoiding pressure sores. A nutritionist can help you plan for any special dietary needs, especially if your parent has difficulty swallowing.
• The extent of stroke-related disability may not be immediately obvious, but it will become clearer as the recovery progresses. Family members can talk to the rehabilitation team about how much care a stroke survivor will need immediately after discharge, and then discuss options for his care with other family members and friends.
• Encouragement and support given by family and friends will be especially important as a stroke survivor begins the difficult work of recovery.
• Family and friends understand a stroke survivor’s strengths and weaknesses. They can remind on how much progress he has made and encourage moving ahead.
• They can also start making the home comfortable and accessible for a stroke survivor.
• They can be great help in steering the attention away from stroke and encourage a stroke survivor to be involved in his favorite hobbies, outings and friends.
• They can encourage him to join community recreation programs or support groups. This is a way for the stroke survivor to meet others who have had experiences similar to yours and/or get your questions answered. Through participation in a discussion group or by asking questions, he will learn new and different ways to cope with the challenges in dealing with stroke.
• They can also arrange for a stroke survivor to attend social gatherings and fun activities.
• It can be very useful to list all the phone numbers of the people he cares most about, allowing him easy access to them.
• They can help a stroke survivor buy and write cards or letters to send to people.
• It could help to choose places to visit that are accessible to a stroke survivor based on his limitations with mobility. Many malls/stores, restaurants, churches, and museums are easily accessible for those who rely on walkers and wheelchairs for mobility. They also offer a place to sit down should the stroke survivor needs to rest.
• They can learn more about stroke to help him better and can involve him in their activities.
• They help a stroke survivor maintain a positive outlook even if some days are better than the others and also make him recognize that emotional ups and downs are expected.