Working with Stroke Patients
If you have not worked directly with patients that have previously suffered a stroke, you could be facing a learning curve. Stroke patients need rehabilitation and special care to ensure they recuperate as quickly as possible.
Recognizing Stroke Symptoms
Slurred speech, or difficulty putting sentences together. Patients may drool from one or both sides of the mouth.
Numbness or paralysis on one side of the body. This can be anything from face, arm, leg, or an entire side of the body.
The patient may not know where they are, or may not be aware of what year it is.
Severe headache followed by nausea and vomiting
These are some typical stroke symptoms, but not every stroke falls into the typical category. If there is a question regarding a “possible” stroke, it’s best to be overly cautious, and have this checked out with the necessary tests.
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Caring for a Stroke Patient
After a patient, has suffered a stroke, there will eventually come a time for them to return home. The family will need to be educated on proper care to meet the needs of the stroke patient. If the patient is being released from the hospital, as a general rule it will be the responsibility of the nurse to provide care instructions to the family.
Be certain the family understands the medication list that has been prescribed to the patient. Make sure the prescriptions can be filled for the patient, and that the family member understands dosage instructions, etc.
Cover dietary needs with the family. It is essential that the patient eat a well-balanced and healthy diet.
Ensure the patient will have means of making return visits to their physician’s office, the risk of a second stroke should be considered.
Discuss lifestyle changes; stroke patients should get regular exercise, especially if not receiving physical rehabilitation. Suggest the patient's level of motivation and accomplishments be recorded, this can then be provided to the physician. Patients should take advantage of physical therapy rehab if available.
Ensure the family understands warning signs that indicate a need for prompt attention.
Depression is very common for patients that are adjusting to life after a stroke. The family should watch for signs or symptoms of depression, and alert the physician if depression becomes an issue.
Utilize supports, encourage the family to seek out supports, case manager, social workers, and support groups can be very valuable to both patients and family members.
Suggest family members explore insurance options, to determine what insurance will cover involving rehabilitation and home health care.
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Stroke patients need to be reminded that life has changed, however it’s not over. This requires slow steps of moving forward with some improvement every day. Many stroke victims suffer frustration at the level of improvement, and it can be a slow process. Explaining to the patient that results may come slowly can at least prepare them for what the future holds. Family members should be made aware that personality changes in a stroke patient are common. It may take up to 6 months to regain functions that were simple prior to the stoke. Again, this is a time that support groups can be very beneficial. This can assure the patient they are not alone, and that there is hope for at least partial recovery. When patients are older, resistance is often a problem. Family involvement will usually provide encouragement, and a progress chart can be a great incentive for the patient.
Strokes can range from very mild to extremely severe. In some cases, a patient will have a stroke, and never have any idea that this has happened. This can be detected using CT scans or similar. Stroke patients should follow the advice of their medical care team, take all medications prescribed, and continue with outpatient therapy. Proper care, and proper follow up treatment is essential in treating stroke patients.
Statistics show that patients who participate in an outpatient recovery program have a 50% better recovery period, and also make necessary lifestyle changes to improve other areas related to health and wellbeing.
A stroke does not have to be the end. It can be used as a learning tool for a new beginning.
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