Caring for a Stroke Survivor

Did you know that in the UK a stroke effects on average one person every five minutes? But what actually is a stroke, and how can we provide the best care and support for survivors...

What is a stroke?

A stroke, sometimes called a 'brain attack' happens when the blood supply is reduced or cut off from the brain. This happens when an artery becomes blocked or ruptures, and prevents oxygen and essential nutrients from getting to where they need to be, which can lead to damage and even cell death within the brain tissue. Damage to the brain can effect how the body works, and many stroke survivors can suffer with long term changes in their speech and physical abilities.

Most often strokes occur after the age of 55, but younger people and even children can have them too, which is why it's so important to familiarize ourselves with the signs...

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

The main symptoms of a stroke can be remembered with the word 'FAST', which stands for:

FACE - Does one side of their face look 'droopy'? They may not be able to smile, or their mouth and eye on one side of the face may have dropped.

ARMS - Can they lift both arms and keep them there? Is there any numbness or tingling in the arms and hands, or on one side of their body? Do they seem dizzy or unbalanced when they stand?

SPEECH - Is their speech slurred or jumbled? Do they have any problems responding to, or understanding what's being said to them?

TIME - If you see any of these symptoms, it's time to dial 999.

Other, more lesser known symptoms of a stroke include; numbness or weakness in the face, arm or legs, especially if it's mainly on one side of the body. Confusion, trouble seeing, loss of coordination and a severe headache with no known cause.

A TIA (transient ischaemic attack), also known as a 'mini stroke', has all the same symptoms as a stroke only the clot or blockage goes away on its own, restoring blood flow to the brain. Many people who experience a mini stroke make a full recovery, however they can be a warning sign that a person is at a higher risk for more serious conditions. The symptoms of a mini stroke can last between a few minutes to 24 hours, and so most people dismiss them, but mini strokes are still emergencies that need to be properly evaluated to determine the underlying cause, which can also help to prevent future attacks.

You can reduce your risk of a TIA by living a healthy and low-stress lifestyle, exercising regularly and eating a balanced, nutrient rich diet!

How are strokes treated?

Strokes are usually treated with antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications to dissolve and prevent blood clots, as well as other medications to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Treatment depends on the type of stroke, including what caused it and which part of the brain was effected.

In some cases, surgery and other procedures may be required to remove clots, reduce brain swelling and reduce the risk of further bleeding.

Additionally, the person may need short term support treatments including compression stockings to prevent blood clots forming in the legs, nutritional supplements, fluids given intravenously and oxygen given through a nasal tube or mask if blood oxygen levels are low.

Though this may all sound a bit scary, it's important to remember that most victims of a stroke go on to live full and happy lives, and with time and the right support, can even regain lost functions!

How do we care for a stroke survivor?

The most important part of caring for anyone is finding out their needs, and coming up with a plan to meet them. This may include talking with their doctor or physical therapist to gain an understanding of what support they require, and what factors may influence their recovery; how much of the brain was affected, the survivors health before the stroke, if their home might need to be modified, and what else you can do to support them. When caring for a stroke survivor, you can never be too informed!

Survivors are at high risk or having another stroke, to reduce this risk it's important to make sure your loved one is eating a healthy, balanced diet, exercising regularly and taking their medications as prescribed. Make sure they see their healthcare provider regularly, and keep an eye out of any dizziness, imbalance or muscle weakness that may cause falls.

Falls after strokes are common, and so you may want to introduce some extra handrails into high risk areas of the home, such as steps, narrow corridors or sharp corners. If a fall does happen that results in pain, bruising or bleeding, it's important to seek immediate medical attention. If the survivor has more than two falls in six months, a visit to their physical therapist is recommended.

The most rapid recovery often happens within the first three to four months after a stroke, but many survivors continue to make progress years after their stroke experience. Daily physical and mental exercises along with a stress-free routine, social interaction and emotional support helps the brain heal in ways experts are still learning to understand!

The brain is incredibly restorative, and the right support along with repetitive practice helps to activate neuroplasticity, forming new neural pathways and often allowing survivors to recover lost functions!

My loved one had a stroke, who can I call for advice?

When someone we love and care for becomes a stroke survivor, we want to make sure we're getting the right advice, so that we can give them the care and support they deserve. Here we've listed some of the top helplines and organizations that offer advice and services to help you navigate this journey...

• Stroke Association helpline offering information and support - 03033033100

• Different Strokes, a charity dedicated to helping younger stroke survivors - 0345 1307172

• Think Ahead Stroke is an advice, information and support charity - 01942 824888

• Headway helps people who have suffered a brain injury, including from a stroke. The association offers online support via the social media platform Health Unlocked. The forums have almost 7,000 members! Once registered, you can post and reply to questions, search for information and take part in online polls. Headway: https://healthunlocked.com/headway

• The Stroke Network is a non-profit organization that offers online support 24/7, worldwide. The website acts as a landing page for a number of smaller stroke organisations. Click on Stroke Support to access the online message board, which will take you to a chat room or a Facebook page. You’ll need to register to be able to view and post messages. The Stroke Network: https://www.strokenetwork.org/

Make sure to stay in regular contact with your loved ones healthcare provider, and if you need any further advice or support as either a stroke survivor or a carer, feel free to reach out to us at Tonic tlc!