Tips For Caregivers To Handle A Situation Like Brain Stroke

By Author: Maria Garcia
Total Articles: 9
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Strokes, also known as brain attacks are one of the leading causes of disability across the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 70% of strokes occur in nations having a low and mid-level income. After a stroke, the path to recovery can be long. Sometimes, strokes affect only a specific body part, and sometimes, the entire body. So, the disability caused by a stroke can be mild to severe. For people who are working as caregivers to their loved ones because of an illness, a sudden stroke is often the last thing that they can expect. So, let’s learn some valuable tips for caregivers to handle a situation like a brain stroke.

Gain knowledge about TIA

Known as mini-strokes, the term TIA stands for 'Transient Ischemic Attack' that is often the precursor of a major stroke. So, you must gain knowledge about TIA. Since a stroke can happen anytime, it is better to know the symptoms of TIA beforehand so that you can be more knowledgeable to handle a person during or after a brain stroke. Usually, a TIA lasts for a few seconds or a minute in which the blockage in the blood vessel ...
... is temporary. Some of the symptoms of these mini-strokes are numbness, weakness, slurred speech, blurred or double vision, and so on.

Show empathy

Once, you know that your loved one has suffered a stroke in your absence and now is in hospital, you may feel a range of emotions. However, despite all your fears, you must show empathy. Remind him or her that things will be perfect soon. Do not show sympathy as this will make them all the more depressed as a stroke survivor. Remind that he or she can still do many things in different ways. Also, keep a record of all the hospital bills and medications so that you can take care of your loved one at home.

Encourage public outings

Once you feel that your loved one is recovering, encourage public outings. When a person suffers from a stroke, there is a deep sense of embarrassment for not being able to do many things like before which gradually leads to depression. Remember, public outings help a stroke survivor to recover at a fast pace. They again feel alive. So, encourage public outings as much as you can.

Develop a positive attitude

Sometimes, the road to recovery can be never-ending. Friends and neighbors may soon stop visiting after some initial visits. The journey can feel lonely. As a caregiver, you might have already lots of caregiving tasks, and now the stroke has increased your burden. This may prove frustrating to you if you don’t have a positive attitude towards life.

So, hope for a better life always. A stroke can be disastrous for anyone. It can have severe implications for both the survivor and the caregiver. So, caregivers must stay strong and positive throughout their journey. Also, it is important to pay attention to your own physical and mental well-being. Seek help from your loved ones and be compassionate.

Maria Garcia is a family caregiver who loves to articulate her views on various platforms. She is also an active member of the Caregiver Dave’s caregiver membership program.

Maria is an experienced caregiver who had taken care of her bed-ridden mother for more than a decade. She has a profound interest in writing informative blogs and articles that can prove helpful for other caregivers.