Caring for a stroke survivor is not easy. You will undergo a roller coaster of emotions and you will feel frustrated especially if you cannot see any improvements on the patient. But this is just a common feeling to every caregiver who has served a stroke survivor. The beginning may be a little rough but it will surely be fulfilling along the way. Caring for a stroke survivor is not easy. You will undergo a roller coaster of emotions and you will feel frustrated especially if you cannot see any improvements on the patient. But this is just a common feeling to every caregiver who has served a stroke survivor. The beginning may be a little rough but it will surely be fulfilling along the way.
To guide you on how to deal with stroke patients, here are some surefire caregiving tips to help you.
- Always make your patient a priority
The period of recovery among patients with stroke does not end after their discharge from the hospital. In fact, they will have to experience continuous care when they arrive home. As therapists, it is important that you communicate with the family regarding the place where the patient will stay. Make sure to have the place safe and accessible.
In addition, you also have to consider the bed and even the location of the bathroom. The patient needs these things because they will be mostly going in and out of the bedroom. Hence, there is a need for it to be easy for them.
- Perceive the possibility of a second stroke
The moment a person has an incident of the first stroke, there is a possibility of a second stroke. Their body becomes more sensitive to any abnormalities or unwanted changes affecting their health. To reduce the risk of a second stroke, we should encourage our patients to eat healthily, rehabilitate their self through our therapy programs and we have to maintain a healthy environment. We have to make sure that they are staying in a smoke-free and hazard-free environment.
Sometimes, therapists have to be wary of the physical environment where the patient will be confined during the recovery period. They have to make sure that it is free from all potential contributors of a second stroke. In addition, we have to study our patient’s condition. We trace the history of the first incident of stroke. At Comfort Care Home Health Care in Stony Island Chicago Illinois, we make a personal plan for each patient that would best cater their needs.
- Be patient
We have to understand that our patients may be undergoing some kind of stress because of their current situation. Their mood changes every now and then. The best way to deal with this is to be patient. The moment they throw tantrums or they get mad for nothing, we just have to ask them what is wrong.
Moreover, we always have to approach them kindly. They are still quite sensitive to the people around them. We have to make them feel that we care for them and that we want them to recover fast. As therapists, it is our task to help our patients live comfortably while recovering from the stroke.
What other caregiving tips that you can think of? Let us know your thoughts or you can drop by some comments on the blog of Comfort Care Home Health Care. You can visit www.comfortcarehha.com or call us today at 773-221-4400.