spotlight on health New Resource Designed To Aid S troke Victims And Their Caregivers (NAPSA)—There’s good newsfor those whofind they have become a caregiver of a stroke victim. A new aye 1. It’s better to find out than miss out. Be aware of the medications that have been prescribed to your loved one and their side effects. Ask if your home resource is available that offers answers to someof the most common questions about the condition. For example, what medica- should be modified to meet thespecific tions are usually prescribed? What side effects should you watch for? Does your home need needs of the stroke survivor. 2. Reducerisks or stroke maystrike again. Survivors who have had onestroke to be modified to meet the needs of the stroke survivor? The American Stroke Associa- are at high risk of having another oneif the treatment recommendations are not followed. tion has released a list of 15 tips to help family members cope with their new role as stroke caregivers. The list runs the gamut from recovery expectations and therapy to resources and prevent- ing secondary stroke. Katherine Sullivan, Ph.D., PT, a memberof the American Stroke Association’s Rehabilitation, Prevention and Recovery Committee, said the list should serve as pa- tient and survivor education. “Each stage after the stroke requires adjustment as both the survivor and the caregiver negoti- ate the road to recovery,” Sullivan said. “Recovery begins the day after stroke, but questions will change as the stroke survivor passes through the hospital phase through return to a healthy and 3. Many factors influence recovery. Survivors who have had one stroke are at high risk of having another one if the treatment recommendations are not followed. Following the treatment plan is key. and stroke survivors following hospital admission for stroke.” Wendy Sessler said she wished the list was available in 1996, when her mother suffered a stroke that left her paralyzed on theleft side. “No one told us what to look for. I had to find out everything on my own.” The list also covers the possible changes in emotion and behavior in stroke survivors. Post-stroke active communitylife.” “There’s a complicated series of paths that one must navigate after a stroke has occurred,” said David Alexander, M.D., chairman depression is common, with as many as 30-50 percent of stroke survivors developing depression in the early or later phases after tion’s Rehabilitation, Prevention and Recovery Committee. “This today. of the American Stroke Associa- list is a starting point for answers to common questions and addres- ses common concerns. It should serve as a resource for caregivers Tips On Dealing With Stroke their stroke. An estimated 5.8 million stroke survivors are alive Stroke is a medical emergency. For tips, tools and support, visit www.strokeassociation.org/care givers. Recovery depends on manydifferent factors: where in the brain the stroke occurred, how much of the brain was affected and how healthy the survivor was before the stroke. Because every stroke and stroke survivoris unique, avoid comparisons. 4. Measuring progress matters. How muchacute rehabilitation therapy your loved onereceives dependspartly on his/her rate of improvement. Stroke survivors on an acute rehabilitation unit are expected to make measurable functional gains every week as measured by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score . 5. Stop depression beforeit hinders recovery. Post-stroke depressionis common, with as many as 30-50 percent of stroke survivors developing depression in the early or later phases post stroke. Post-stroke depression can significantly affect your loved one’s recovery and rehabilitation. Consult a physician to develop a plan of action. we eee ee ee eee en ee en ee ee ee eee eee mE nw ee ee ee ee eee Note to Editors: Although May is American Stroke Month, the advice in this article can help your readers any time of the year.
