TIPS ON HOW TO SUPPORT STROKE SURVIVORS
The process of stroke recovery is long and full of ups and downs. It may take hard work and dedication to regain mental and physical function after a stroke. It is surely not be a walk in the park but it doesn't have to be difficult. If you or a loved one has suffered from a stroke, Here are 3 tips to help you support them to make their journey through recovery easier.
Financial support
Stroke care is expensive, no doubt. With health services under considerable financial pressure, From having to remodel the home to ease movement, to medical bills, dietary changes, special needs bills etc, stroke survivors need as much financial support as they can get. It takes the mental strain of thinking how to finance growing bills from the survivors off and help them focus on the most important thing, RECOVERY.
Social support
As survivors recover from stroke, social support is very important. They need to know that family and friends are available for them as they settle with their new reality. The relationship between social support and participation post-stroke was evaluated and showed distinct, significant relationships between social support and participation where the quality and quantity of social support were important. Hence it was concluded that a positive relationship exists between social support and participation post-stroke. After a stroke, survivors can experience a decline in social network relationships as they lose the opportunities for contact through employment and recreation. Social support is central to wellbeing and it has been found to protect against depression (Salter et al, 2010) and to help recovery from stroke (Ch'ng et al, 2008). Family, friends and Support groups are great sources of social support, because feeling as though you're not alone is a vital part of the healing process.
Psychological support
Stroke can negatively affect the mental health of stroke survivors and their carers, leading to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. Following a stroke, it is fairly common for a survivor to experience depression , or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Neurological impairments resulting from stroke may improve with rehabilitation but often stroke survivors are left with considerable psychological effects. Depression and anxiety are prevalent and often long-term for survivors of stroke which has been found to slow recovery from stroke. Once again, the road to stroke recovery is long but it doesn't have to be lonely. Survivors need as much support as they can get