Understanding the impact of a stroke

For most people who suffer from one, a stroke is life-changing. Despite their association with the elderly, strokes can happen to anyone, at any time, and can have a profound impact on how their brain works.

If your loved one has survived a stroke, you may notice significant changes in the way that they think, feel, and coordinate.

Getting the right support to help the transition can not only make them more comfortable but also help to take steps towards recuperation.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is caused by the blood supply being cut off from an area of the brain, often by a blood clot. This causes brain cells in that area of the brain to die, damaging how the brain functions.

Often, a stroke will impact one side of the body more than the other. This is why someone’s face drooping on one side is one of the first major indicators of a stroke.

However, this does not happen in every case. Due to the way a stroke damages the brain, it can impact a large variety of areas of someone’s life and functions.

No two strokes will impact people the same, meaning that an individual approach must be taken to care and support.

Major changes caused by a stroke

As mentioned above, no two strokes will have the same impact. Some people who suffer from a stroke will only have mild after-effects, whilst others will require more long-term adaptations to their lives.

Some of the common effects caused by a stroke include:

  • Changes to senses, including problems with vision
  • Difficulty with speech and communication
  • Emotional and behavioural changes
  • Memory loss
  • Struggling to concentrate
  • Difficulty with movement and coordination

Not all these symptoms will be present in someone who has survived a stroke, as it depends on the area of the brain that was affected. Getting the right support is vital.

Available support

Ensuring that your loved one has the right care in place after a stroke can have a huge impact on their life and recovery.

Whilst some symptoms of a stroke will never go away, others can be lessened through a therapeutic approach.

We work alongside families and healthcare professionals to tailor a care plan to your loved one’s needs.

Our specialist staff can provide support with multiple aspects of care, including personal care, support with therapeutic activities, and even help getting out and about.

Having the right care on hand can ensure that your loved one can live comfortably in the aftermath of a stroke.

If you would like to find out more about the support we offer for strokes and brain injuries, please get in touch with our team today.

Posted in Stroke.