Important Tips for Supporting Stroke Survivors you need to Know
After stroke, survivors struggle with not only physical challenges, which is where most caregivers, family and friends focus, show more interest and concern, with little attention on how to relate with them. Sometimes out of ignorance these individuals talk down on survivors and even unknowingly mistreat them.
Caring for individuals with any form stroke can be challenging, demanding and sometimes difficult to handle. However, knowing how to relate with them can be especially helpful in relieving the stress and pressures associated with stroke-care. Knowing what to say, how and when to say it, while dealing with people with health challenges, especially stroke survivors can be of great support to them.
In this article, we have provide some important tips that can help everyone relate well with stroke survivors without adding to their challenges. It contains guidelines on how to communicate with stroke survivors, the role of support team in stroke recovery and healing tips that can enhance recovery. You surely, will find these tips helpful, especially if you’re a caregiver, family member or friend of a stroke survivor.
Guideline for Communicating with Stroke Survivor
Never talk down on a survivor: Most stroke cases do not damage a person’s intellectual capacity. As a result, survivors retain their mental alertness even when they struggle with speech. To avoid running into problems with them, be sure to respect their dignity. Never talk down on them or talk to them as little children.
Always listen patiently: You need to be very patient as the survivor struggles to communicate thoughts, phrases, words, and even sentences to you. They need time. Never be in a hurry to hear. Always listen patiently.
Never rush your speech: Just like it is with hearing or listening to the survivor, you need not be in any hurry while you speak with a survivor. Learn to speak slowly. Speak clearly with your normal tone of voice.
Avoid long grammar: your sentences should be short and to the point. Choice of words should be familiar and simple. When points are not clear to you, don’t pretend to understand him or her. Politely acknowledge that you do not understand what is said and request for a retry.
Avoid loud noise: When speaking, keep the background noise down. The home environment should also be less rowdy.
Ask simple questions: Learn to use simple questions that require yes or no answers.
The above guideline applies to communication with all stroke survivors, both in principle and practice. It is especially applicable in cases where the communication skills are impaired or lost.
The role of support team in stroke recovery
Important tips for the family
Learn to be very generous in showing kindness, and understanding to the survivor
Make the home environment safe always – constant fall is a common feature of survivors.
Always keep the survivor company, never leave him or her isolated.
Always cooperate with medical personnel, rehabilitation teams and caregivers. Continue with therapies recommended for use at home to avoid a break in recovery.
Learn to be more patient and avoid getting overwhelmed by frustration if the survivor is not meeting your expectations.
Recognize the survivor’s limitations and avoid being pushy.
Help the survivor cope with fear and anxiety – never make room for unnecessary stress.
Important tips for Friends:
Friends can be another real support and encouragement to stroke survivors.
Below helpful tips on what friends can offer to stroke survivors
Accompany a friend to and fro rehabilitation if it is done at a center. But if it is done at home, try to be present from time to time, and show compassion.
Regularly offer assistance where you find a need. “A friend in need is a friend indeed”.
Share experiences and interesting discussions, including stories with him or her when appropriate.
Present gifts, such as flowers, cash to support expenses and other useful tools.
Always maintain a kind and positive posture whenever you visit. Give hope, not despair.
Always commend the survivor for any progress you notice. Be sure to prove that you really care.
The benefits of social groups
Studies show that higher “levels of social support were found to be predicative of a more rapid rate of recovery and greater amount of overall improvement in functioning even among patients with more severe strokes”. Social groups might include his or her religious group, stroke survivors association, and club, etc. As soon as the survivor can establish some degree of functional independence, let him or her resume social interactions and activities.
Facts and tips about healing for stroke survivors
- Understand how the brain heals.
- Focus on mass practice to regain lost skills.
- Focus on good nutrition.
- Don’t get discouraged if progress slows.
- Avoid “learn Nonuse”.
- Think about spasticity differently.
- Experiment with different rehabilitation methods.
- Sleep when your body asks for it.
Summary
There is no doubt that you must learned one or two new things from these simple, but important tips. Understanding how to communicate with stroke survivors can be of great support to them and even make your load as caregiver, family member and friend lighter. It eases stresses for you and your loved one. Many people have benefited by applying these important tips and you too will benefit if you make use them.
Book to link: 235 Essential stroke facts you don’t know