This article is aimed at helping you know the qualities you should lookout for as a stroke survivor, caregiver or therapists. It will also help stroke survivors, family and friends to know what to expect from caregivers and therapists. It is presented in question and answer format.
Who is a stroke “warrior”?
Answer:
- Anyone who endures the pains, bears the immediate and most times temporary limitations and loss of skills caused by stroke.
- Anyone who hopes to get better despite the challenges he or she struggles with as a result of stroke.
- A survivor who cooperates with caregivers, therapists, family and friends.
- A survivor who see reasons to live against all odds.
- The one who will do what is practical each day, even if it’s only mental exercise or practice.
- The person who fights discouragement, despondency and despair even when the strength is meager.
- The person who learn to accept the “new normal”, instead of living in the past.
- An individual survivor who learns to practice gratitude, despite emotional and personality changes as a result of stroke.
- An individual survivor who anticipates the next therapy session and prepares his or her heart and mind to learn at least one new thing to help regain lost skills and functions.
- A survivor who gets adequate rest and sleep each day to enable the brain heal, rewire and reorganize itself.
- A survivor who does not skip his or her daily exercises, but maintains good routine.
- A survivor who can smile when others do and when they think he or she can’t.
- The person who rejects the fear of failure and see mistakes as part of the recovery process.
- A survivor who recognizes that recovery comes in stages, sometimes there could be “plateaus” or slow downs.
- A survivor who pushes on when “plateaus” or slow downs occur. Because these incidents are temporary those who did not succumb always conquer.
- A stroke warrior is someone who is teachable, patient and willing to relearn lost skills. He or she work very hard to improve each step of the way.
- A stroke warrior is someone who does not compare his or her progress with others.
- He or she realizes that every stroke is different and each individual is equally different. As a result every recovery will vary to some degree according to individuals.
- Such individuals do all they can to maximize their recovery potentials.
- Their courage and earnest desire to live no matter what, is visible to caregivers and loved ones.
- A survivor who is wellness-minded instead of illness-minded. He or she learn to create space for wellness and little by little it begin to manifest in the entire life.
- Stroke “warriors” sometimes feel overwhelming during recovery process, but they do not focus on the whole thing. Rather, they just do the next right thing that is possible.
- They do not give up. They are not quitters. They know quitters never win.
- Even when they did not see the whole staircase, they endeavor to take the first step.
- They practice self love. They believe that love is a catalyst for healing.
- They believe the saying that “slow and steady wins the race”. Even when it means two steps forward and one step backwards, they don’t worry, because it’s normal.
- These individuals grow through, what they go through. They draw motivation from what they experience and use such to prepare for life after stroke.
- They see stroke recovery beyond just healing the brain but rebuilding a life they love and cherish.
- A stroke “warrior” firmly believe that no condition is permanent. He or she try to recreate self. Create new habits and lifestyles.
- Avoids self pity. This is a man or woman of courage and perseverance, who is determined to fight to the finish!
Who is good caregiver?
Answer:
- Someone who is willing to support a survivor through the challenges of stroke.
- A good caregiver stick with the survivor even if he or she does not understand all that the survivor is going through.
- If a family member, he or she does not see the loved ones condition as a burden but a responsibility that must be cared for.
- If a hired or paid caregiver, the individual treats the survivor as a loved one and not as a work material.
- He or she does not handle the responsibilities with a sense of duty, but with love and tenderness.
- This is someone the survivor can trust and confide in.
- A good caregiver try to increase his or her knowledge about the survivor’s condition. He or she makes research, ask questions and regularly enhance the knowledge and understanding of stroke.
- Does not scream, shout or talk down on the survivor. Even when the survivor say or do something that seems foolish, the caregiver calms down and deal with the situation without making the survivor appear foolish.
- Caring for a sick person is not always easy. That been said, caring for a stroke patient or survivor can even be more demanding, challenging and rigorous. As a result, the caregiver can sometimes become overwhelmed. To cope, a good caregiver must be someone who is willing to put on patience as cloth. Without patience success might remain a dream.
- A good caregiver is always ready to learn. He or she works hand in hand with the therapists and the medical team.
- Because the caregiver carefully understudy the therapists, he or she is able to follow up the exercises and other routines at home.
- Depending on the type and nature of stroke the caregiver may need to work round the clock. As a result if care is not taken the caregiver’s health might be compromised.
- In view of the above a good caregiver while caring for the survivor, does not sacrifice his or her own health. But ensures that proper attention is given to “own’s” health. This is very important, because only a healthy and strong caregiver can adequately cater for the demands of stroke care.
- A good caregiver is flexible, versatile and adaptable. Not rigid, “stick to the rule” person.
Must realize that, every individual is different and when it comes to stroke, no one stroke is exactly the same, even if they are same by name or type. Especially, for hired or paid caregivers, it is important to keep in mind that what works for A, might not work for B exactly the same way.
- A good caregiver is equally very compassionate and empathetic. Shows fellow feeling. He or she try to feel what the survivor is going through.
As a result, the caregiver endeavors to avoid anything that will knowingly or unknowingly add to the survivor’s pains. He or she try to be “a pain reliever”, instead of a pain giver.
- Gives hope not despair. Is encouraging not discouraging.
- Is a good listener. Not in a hurry to give answers. Very calm and patient to get the clear picture, facts plus fig where and when necessary before responding.
- He or she is not impulsive, reactional, or emotional when making decisions. Does not make decisions that will be regretted later.
- Is an organized person. Works with written schedule.
- Is a safety conscious person. This a very important aspect of stroke care. With mobility issues and other challenges, falls are common risk for stroke survivors. A good caregiver will ensure that adequate safety precautions are put in place and maintained to prevent incidents of falls.
Who is a good therapist?
Answer:
- Is a trained and experienced individual who understands how to help and rehabilitate stroke patients or survivors.
- His or her work includes, helping stroke survivors relearn and regain lost skills that he or she specialize in.
- He is a teacher, trainer and coach.
- He is someone who love helping individuals who suffered impairments as a result of stroke or other brain injury. He finds joy helping survivors journey through recovery.
- He keeps appointments and fulfill premises.
- Does not abandon the survivor halfway because the case is challenging. But will continue to do all that is possible within the field of practice to be of help.
- He or she trains the survivor, caregiver to continue therapy at home even when not present.
- Not rigid, and unaccommodating of other options outside what he or she knows. But understands that stroke therapy and rehabilitation are dynamic, and continues to evolve. No one person or group, knows it all.
- He or she works hard to improve from every new work. Realizes that every case offers opportunity to better understand the peculiarities of stroke effects on individuals.
- He or she treats each survivor according to their needs, and not according to general rules. A good therapist creates customized or personalized therapies to meet the needs and circumstances of clients.
- A good therapist creates environment for trust. The survivor will trust him or her, to the point of looking up to the therapist as a “second god”.
- The relationship between the therapist and patient/survivor is that of two good friends. The survivor earnestly looks forward to every therapy session, even if it comes with some pains.
- A good therapist gives hope, not despair. He or she help the survivor see reasons to live and push on to recovery.
Even if the case is bad, he or she constantly reassures the survivor of possibilities for recovery. This is because with stroke recovery nothing is impossible, provided the whole brain is not damaged.
- He is a committed person who works round the clock to assist survivors battle stroke side effects until victory is worn. Whether the victory is partial or total recovery is immaterial.
What’s important is that the survivor regains functional independence, start a new life and continue to enjoy meaningful life after stroke.
- He or she tries to help the survivor prepare for life after stroke.
- Even after rehabilitation, the therapist remains a strong ally of the survivor on the journey to life after stroke!
Summary
The list does not cover all the qualities you need to know about these individuals who play direct and active roles in stroke recovery, but it is a highlight of the key qualities you need to have in mind. Expectations and needs varies from person to person and this might determine what will be okay for you.
At any rate, if you’re a stroke survivor, the above list will serve as a helpful guide to enhance your recovery. It will also help you know what to expect from caregivers and therapists.
Book to link: Answers to 84 Important questions Stroke Survivors and Caregivers ask.