Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - (Page 27)

3 APPOINT ONE FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND AS SPOKESPERSON. Having a primary contact and notetaker reduces disruptions and confusion, Stein says. The spokesperson, in daily contact with the doctor and the case manager, allows everyone to focus on her or his role in the patient's treatment and recovery. 3 EDUCATE YOURSELF. You'll be a better caregiver if you learn about the eﬀects of stroke and steps to recovery. Join a support group and gather information from hospitals and organizations such as the American Stroke Association and National Stroke Association. 3 ENCOURAGE THE STROKE SURVIVOR. The simple act of holding the patient's hand helps. Celebrate accomplishments, no matter how small, as Taylor's mother did. Encourage your loved one to walk, socialize, engage in favorite activities and seek treatment for depression, if needed. Social isolation is common, Stein says. "It's partly a mobility issue, partly being self-conscious. But there's a therapeutic value in staying socially engaged." 3 EXPECT RECOVERY TO TAKE TIME AND HARD WORK. Doctors once told patients that improvements would stop after six months. Taylor's continued for eight years, and for some, recovery occurs over a lifetime. Physical, occupational and speech therapy may be part of the process, occurring in locations from an acute-care hospital to home care to outpatient settings. 3 TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Physical and emotional exhaustion will limit your ability to help. Rest, eat healthy foods, exercise and see friends. Schedule helpers to give you a break. Keep a journal. I Stroke Recovery Depending on the severity of the stroke, a patient's ability for selfcare after discharge may be difficult. "A physician may recommend that the patient be referred to a skilled nursing unit for a period of time," says PCRMC neurologist Mignon Makos, MD. "However, a rehabilitation therapy program is strongly encouraged. A patient can expect to see maximum improvement the following three months after the stroke, but he or she may improve for up to one year after incidence." Dr. Makos says that after a person has a stroke, the risk for having another one increases. "Making lifestyle changes, paying attention to your health and taking the prescribed medications may help prevent another occurrence," she says. She also recommends the following preventive measures: "A low cholesterol diet with a goal to get LDL below 100; if you smoke, stop; get blood pressure under control; commit to regular exercise; and take some sort of anti-platelet therapy medication to help make the blood less sticky so it easily flows through vessel walls." Dr. Makos says to never go to bed and expect the symptoms to be better in the morning. Many times the symptoms are worse in the morning. Also, she says, remember that there is only a small window of opportunity to treat stroke with optimal results; therefore, it is imperative that a person seeks treatment immediately. Remember the FAST acronym if you or a loved one experience stroke-like symptoms. Symptoms appear suddenly and require immediate attention. Act FAST: FACE: Drooping, numbness or weakness of the face ARMS: Drifting, weakness or lack of control SPEECH: Trouble speaking, slurred speech or problems understanding TIME: Time is critical (Call 911) website What's Your Risk? Identify your risks for stroke and learn more about stroke and stroke prevention. Please visit the American Stroke Association at strokeassociation.org. SUMME R 2015 FdVVSU1576_09-48_Commons.indd 27 FdVVSU1500_22-27_Stroke.indd 27 27 3/25/15 1:24 PM 1/28/15 10:59 AM http://www.strokeassociation.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center

Contents

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center