Coping with a stroke is difficult, both for the survivor and their family. The effects of a stroke can alter a survivor's physical, mental, and emotional condition. These changes can be frustrating for families. Families should be mindful that while these conditions require adjustments to their lives, they are not insurmountable.

Physical Impairments

A stroke can result in impairments to a survivor's physical abilities. Loss of mobility and strength to one side of the body is common after a stroke. Some survivors may even require a crutch, cane, or wheelchair. Family members of such survivors need to take on tasks that the survivor is no longer capable of performing. However, they also need to be sensitive to survivor's sense of independence and whenever possible allow the survivor to do things for themselves. Some activities may have become difficult for the survivor, but not all will have become impossible. Numerous tools exist that can allow stroke survivors to perform simple tasks like dressing themselves without the assistance of others. These tools allow the survivor to sustain a certain level of autonomous dignity. Finding the specific balance of what tasks to do for a survivor depends largely on the severity of the survivors impairments. However, a good rule is to allow the survivor to do as much for themselves as possible while also being ready to help when needed.

Mental Impairments

The mental impairments of some stroke survivors can be more difficult to adapt to then the physical ones. Stroke victims that have sustained brain damage or deficiencies in their intelligence can seem like entirely different people to their families, requiring profound lifestyle changes. However, not all impairments are this extreme. One of the more common mental impairments caused by a stroke is aphasia, which can limit a survivor's language capacities in regards to reading, writing, and conversing. Even though their intelligence may not have been impacted by their stroke, the difficulties the survivor experiences during these activities can make them seem less intelligent. Such survivors may be predisposed to believing others think they are stupid. Patience is thus especially important when living with someone with aphasia. It is important to give the survivor time to process during conversations. Likewise aphasia itself does not impair decision making, so it is important to be respectful of the survivor's opinions. Adapting to mental impairments is especially difficult for the loved ones of survivors, but a little patience can go a long way.

Emotional Impairments

Finally, beyond the physical and mental impairments stroke survivors can suffer, it is not uncommon for them to display erratic and fragile emotional states. This can be taxing on their friends and families. The survivor may be quick to emotional outbursts and overly sensitive to stress. Individuals living with survivors are often the targets of such outbursts and in turn feel guilty about causing them. In general, coping with such a condition requires keeping stressors to a minimum and not taking any outbursts personally.

Learn more about this author, Patrick Nathan Cardamone.
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