Stroke Care At Home
It can never be predicted when a stroke will happen, and the changes experienced can be short-term or long-term.
After Stroke Care At Home
The consequences of a stroke can go beyond physical problems and have long-term and life-altering effects. Anyone can experience a stroke, causing a sudden and devastating impact on all those affected.
The impact of strokes can damage various physical functions, including mobility, swallowing, continence, and vision. Additionally, tasks like concentration, memory loss, speech, and emotional effects such as depression, anxiety, personality changes, and difficulty communicating can cause constant fatigue and require patience and continuous encouragement to reassure and rehabilitate the individual.
Rehabilitation Care at Home
Regaining independence is the primary key to stroke recovery, and there is nowhere better to achieve this than in the comfort of your own home with the assistance of family or trained and skilled live in carer. Being familiar with your surroundings goes a long way to increasing your confidence and reducing your anxiety whilst trying to master the skills crucial to your rehabilitation.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is an attack on the brain when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. The resulting lack of oxygen to the brain causes damage that affects how the body functions. A stroke’s effects depend on where it occurs in the brain and how much damage is caused. As we age, arteries become more rigid and narrower and are more likely to become blocked. Certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors also increase a person’s stroke risk.
There are three main types of strokes:
Ischaemic stroke
Caused by a blockage cutting off the blood supply to the brain and is the most common type of stroke.
Haemorrhagic stroke
A Haemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in or around the brain and can have catastrophic consequences.
Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
A TIA often referred to as a mini-stroke is the same as other strokes, except the symptoms only last briefly because the blockage that stops the blood from getting to your brain is only temporary.
The impact of a stroke on some people may be relatively minor and may not last long. Some people have more severe problems that make them dependent on others. The time recovery takes from a stroke can significantly reduce with the proper care and support.
The sooner you seek medical treatment, the quicker and more successful your recovery will be.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
Strokes occur every five minutes in the UK. They can happen to anyone at any age, at any time. Knowing how to spot the warning signs in yourself or someone else is critical.
The signs that someone is having a stroke include:
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including legs, hands, and feet.
- Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences.
- Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes
- Sudden memory loss, confusion, dizziness, or a sudden fall
- A sudden and severe headache
If you think someone may be experiencing a stroke, follow the guidance on the FAST test.
A stroke is often considered to be a life changing event, please be assured that there is still quality of life to be had after such an event with the right care. You can rely on the expertise of Live in Care to support you to remain living independently at home.
Live in Care work closely with stroke rehabilitation units to support safe discharge from hospital and provide effective care to meet individual care and support needs and preferences.
Additional information and support are available from the Stroke Association which can be accessed from the following link: www.stroke.org.uk
