In this post, we explain what you can do to help your spouse who has suffered a stroke on the road to recovery.

The brain is criss-crossed by a multitude of blood vessels that ensure its blood circulation. A stroke occurs when a cerebral artery ruptures, causing a hemorrhagic stroke, or when a small clot temporarily blocks the blood flow in an artery, known as an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Atherosclerosis, the formation of lipid plaques in the walls of blood vessels, is one of the main causes of stroke. High blood pressure is also a major risk factor.

When you realize that your spouse has survived a stroke, your first thoughts will probably be happiness and gratitude, but from then on, uncertainty could set in. So, what’s the road after a stroke like?

The road to recovery from stroke

When someone has had a stroke and presents to the emergency department, the hospital has one overriding objective in its care: to save that person’s life.

Once your partner is out of immediate danger, the investigation begins. The first thing the medical profession will want to know is the cause of the stroke.

Afterwards, the medical profession will want to take steps to prevent another stroke from occurring, because depending on the type of stroke suffered, certain medications can prevent a second stroke.

The patient will undergo a number of tests in the first 48 hours, after which he/she will undergo physical therapy to help him/her regain optimal condition before returning home or to a rehabilitation center.

5 ways you can help your spouse who has suffered a stroke

While you may feel helpless during your spouse’s rehabilitation process, you can help him or her recover with these tips.

1. Be patient

Recovering from a stroke can be incredibly frustrating and aggravating at times, to say the least. And it’s very often the victim’s family and caregivers who bear the brunt of this frustration.

So it’s up to the loved ones, caregivers and family of stroke victims to be patient, especially when it happens.

2. Learn to let go

One of the most difficult things for the spouse is to want to do things for the stroke victim. He/she will see his/her spouse struggle to use a fork, cut his/her food and other simple things like that, and he/she will want to do it for him/her.

This is more than normal, but it’s important to let go and let them do things for themselves as much as possible.

3. Find other ways to communicate

Aphasia is very common in people who have had a stroke. It occurs when parts of the brain controlling language have been damaged. The result is language disorders. This is probably one of the most frustrating consequences, as the victim can no longer speak.

Some ways to help your partner fight aphasia

• Give your partner time to talk
• Ask him if you can guess his words and ideas.
• Take a look at voice assistance tools (iPhone & Android applications)
• Always have photos, cards, paper and pencils to hand

Stroke victims will be able to write what they want to say, even if they can’t say it.

1. Monitor depression

Depression can affect more than a third of stroke survivors, partly because they feel hopeless or sad about the impact of stroke on their lives and those around them, especially their spouse.

Unfortunately, depression can interfere with stroke treatment and recovery. Signs of depression can include symptoms such as persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness, sleep disturbances and increased or decreased appetite.

2. Don’t forget to take care of yourself too

We know it’s easier said than done when you have a spouse or caregiver who needs constant care because of a stroke.

Often, the spouses of stroke victims who need a great deal of care and attention neglect their physical and emotional health and do not receive medical care for themselves.

Remember that the personal health of a stroke victim’s spouse is essential, because if anything were to happen to him or her, the stroke victim would be in a very bad way.

In all cases of stroke, the spouse will need to show courage and patience, and above all, not wait until he or she is exhausted before asking for help.

Contact us to find a solution