Caring for a stroke patient, or a patient with cerebrovascular disease, is a challenging matter that requires knowledge, patience, and love. But with good preparation and suitable care, the patient can restore themselves and have a better quality of life. The disease of stroke, or a narrowed blood vessel of the brain, has symptoms that arise differently in each individual, making it necessary for the care to be adjusted to suit the state of each patient
How to begin: coming to understand the state of the patient after leaving the hospital
When the stroke patient has received first aid and the symptoms are stable, preparing in order to care for them at home is therefore an important step that must be planned in advance. A narrowed blood vessel of the brain has symptoms that can affect the working of the body in several respects, both movement, speaking, understanding, and the control of the emotions
The assessment of the ability in movement
The assessment of the ability in movement is the important first step. Some patients can walk by using a walking stick, while some may have to use a wheelchair or need help. Testing the balance and standing and walking a short distance will help assess the risk of falling and lay out a plan for using the walking aid that is suitable
The assessment of the ability in communication
Communication after a stroke may be affected in several forms. Some patients can understand well but have a problem in speaking, while some may have a problem in understanding speech or in reading. Testing the understanding of simple commands and the response will help in knowing the level of the ability in communication
Before going home, the medical team should be consulted concerning the plan of continuous treatment, the medicine that must be taken, and the symptoms that must be watched for, as well as the follow-up appointments, the doing of physiotherapy, and other therapies that are necessary. Having a clear plan of care will help the carer be confident and reduce anxiety
The heart of the care: the daily routine and the prevention of complications
Caring for a stroke patient in daily life must give importance to the prevention of complications and the promotion of restoration. A good daily routine will help the patient have a life that is orderly and feel safe, which is an important factor in restoration
Caring for the skin and preventing pressure sores
Caring for the skin is an important matter for patients who lie in bed or sit in a wheelchair for a long time. Changing the posture of lying every 2 hours, using a cushion preventing pressure sores, and checking the skin every day, particularly at the area of the heel, the ankle, the hip, and the shoulder, will help prevent pressure sores. Using a moisturising cream and avoiding dragging the patient's body will help keep the state of the skin strong
The management of nutrition and of giving food
The management of nutrition must take into account the safety in swallowing. If the patient has a problem of swallowing, a specialist should be consulted concerning the texture of food that is suitable. The food may have to be blended finely or the thickness of the liquid increased. Giving food in small amounts but often, and encouraging drinking water at intervals, will help prevent dehydration and choking
The management of medicine and the following of the symptoms
Giving the medicine on time is an important thing, particularly medicine against the clotting of the blood and medicine controlling the blood pressure, in order to prevent a stroke again. Using a daily pill box or a reminder app will help prevent forgetting the medicine. Following the vital signs and observing abnormal symptoms, such as symptoms of confusion, unclear speech, or symptoms of sudden weakness, requires quickly taking them to see a physician immediately
Physiotherapy and the activities that must be done at home
The restoration of a stroke patient is a process that requires time and patience, but doing activities of restoration continuously will help the patient have the opportunity to come back to living as close to normally as possible. Restoration in the home has the advantage that the patient feels at ease and can practise the various skills in the real environment that will be used in daily life
Physiotherapy: easy postures of exercise in order to restore the strength of the muscles
Exercise for a stroke patient must begin from easy postures and gradually increase the difficulty. Moving the joints is a good beginning, by turning the wrist and the ankle and bending and straightening the fingers and toes. These postures help prevent stiff joints and stimulate the circulation of the blood
Practising balance and standing is an important step. Begin from sitting at the edge of the bed steadily, then gradually practise standing with someone helping. Using a walking aid or a walking-training stick may help the patient feel more confident
Practising the strength of the muscles can be done by using light weights or by resisting the force of gravity. Practising picking up and holding objects of various sizes will help restore the working of the hand and the fingers. All of this should be done under the recommendation of a physiotherapist
Occupational therapy: practising the daily routine in order to help the patient come back to helping themselves
Practising activities in daily life is an important part of restoration. Dressing, eating, bathing, and using the bathroom are basic skills that the patient must practise anew. Beginning from easy activities and gradually increasing the complexity will help the patient have confidence
Using assistive equipment can make the patient able to help themselves more, such as a large-headed spoon for those whose hand shakes, a long handle for picking things up, or a bathing chair for safety. Adjusting the environment in the house so that it is suitable will help the patient do the various activities more easily
Practising the use of utensils in the kitchen, the use of the telephone, or the management of money are more complex skills, but are important for living independently. Practising step by step and giving encouragement will help the patient be able to do these activities once again
Speech therapy: the restoration of the skills of speaking and swallowing
Many stroke patients have problems of speaking and swallowing, which affect communication and eating food. Practising making sounds begins from exercising the muscles of the face, the mouth, and the tongue. Rinsing the mouth, blowing up a balloon, or sucking water through a straw are useful preliminary exercises
Practising speaking should begin from easy words and gradually increase the length of the sentences. Using pictures or word cards to help in communication is a choice for those who have much problem in speaking. Being patient and giving the patient time in communicating is an important thing
Practising swallowing must be especially careful, because if swallowing is done in the wrong way, food or water may enter the lungs. Consulting a speech therapist concerning the technique of swallowing that is safe and the texture of food that is suitable is necessary
Healing both the patient and the carer
Restoration after a stroke is not connected only with the body, but includes the mind as well. Stroke patients usually feel irritated, sad, or anxious about the future. Creating small goals that can really be achieved and praising the effort will help create a positive atmosphere. Taking part in family activities and meeting friends will help the patient feel that they are part of society
For the carer, caring for oneself is a thing no less important than caring for the patient. Finding time to rest, having someone to help at intervals, and joining a group supporting carers will help them be able to care for the patient sustainably. If the patient or the carer has symptoms of depression or severe stress, a specialist in mental health should be consulted
In summary
Caring for a stroke patient is a long journey and requires patience, but with love, knowledge, and suitable support, the patient can restore themselves and have a good quality of life. Understanding a narrowed blood vessel of the brain, the symptoms that may arise, and the planning of suitable care is the important foundation of effective care
What is important is that it must be remembered that restoration is a process that requires time. The progress may be slow, and sometimes there may be going backwards, but having a positive attitude, giving encouragement, and not giving up will lead to a good result in the end. Working together with the team of physicians and therapists will help the care and the restoration have the highest effectiveness
For those who need further help in restoration, particularly in the field of physiotherapy and the reducing of the symptoms of pain that may arise from lying in bed for a long time, PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic is ready to give a consultation and the service of restoration for patients after a stroke, with a team of specialist physicians and modern technology
📞 Contacting to enquire or to reserve a place for an appointment: (+66) 88 589 0896