How To Care For Stroke Patients At Home

Recovering From A Stroke

Family and friends play a vital role in motivating someone who has suffered a stroke to recover. Caring for them at home can be an especially trying time for the family. It is important to get the home environment ready to cater to the patient's needs. As a carer, you'll need to learn some basic skills which will help you cope.

Preparing A Room

Move the patient to a room on the ground floor if you live in a house with stairs. Be sure that there are familiar items in it, such as a radio, clock, family pictures or favourite personal items.

Position the bed away from a wall so that you can walk around it. This will make it easier for you to make the bed.

Make sure the mattress is firm.

Get a chair with a firm base and arm rests, so the patient can be seated by the bed frequently.

You may wish to install a bell or buzzer so the patient can call for help.

Potential Danger Spots In The Home

These may cause slips and falls:

- Polished floor.

- Telephone and other cords that may be dangling.

- Poorly lit areas

- a particular danger if the patient's eyesight is faltering.

Stay In Touch

You can reduce the patient's anxieties by:

Spending time with the person, and being there for moral support.
Keeping the person informed of all that is happening, and including him or her in family discussions.
Even if the patient is unconscious, keep talking to him or her, for example, while changing his or her clothes.


Practical Skills To Learn

You should learn the following skills from hospital staff to prepare yourself as a carer.

Lifting

Learn how to lift the patient properly to avoid injury to either person. Lifting is necessary to clean, bathe, feed and bring the patient to the toilet.

Use this technique:

- Face the patient.

- Keeping your back straight, spread your feet approximately shoulder width apart and bend your knees.

- Keep one foot pointed in the direction that you are going towards. And be sure to tell the patient what you are about to do.

- Get a firm hold, tuck your chin in and lift.

Please consult your physiotherapist on other ways to move the patient.

Getting About

A wheelchair will enable you to move the patient around easily so that he or she can participate as much as possible in the social life of the family or community.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation helps the patient get back to his or her normal lifestyle as much as possible and to be independent in activities such as eating, dressing, walking, bathing or going to the toilet etc.

Learn the appropriate techniques on how to do it at home from the hospital's therapist.

Feeding

Sometimes the patient may require tube feeding because of difficulty in swallowing. Learn the technique of feeding from the nurses.

Stroke patients usually have constipation problems, so you have to ensure there are lots of fluids and fibre in the food.

Your occupational therapist can also advise you on specially designed cutlery and crockery which the patient can use.

Bathing & Toilet

If the patient cannot reach the toilet for any reason, you may have to consider using a commode. If balance is poor, or it is difficult to get up, look for a stable commode with a backrest and arms. The commode with wheels attached can also be used as a mobile chair to bring the patient to the bathroom for a shower.

Remember that commodes must be emptied and cleaned every day.

Incontinence pads can help when the patient has difficulties with bowel or bladder control.

Skin Care

Turn the patient regularly to prevent pressure sores. Cleaning or bathing regularly prevents red, broken skin. Keep the bed clean.

Professional Help

During the first days, you may wish to engage professional help. By observing, you'll be able to learn more about caring for your charge. You can approach the Home Nursing Foundation or private nursing agencies.

Respite Care

If you need to go on a holiday, you can approach the hospital's social workers to arrange for respite care at a nursing home or community hospital.