Caring For Stroke Patients: What Do We Need To Know

Caring for seniors who have suffered a stroke is a caregiving action that requires compassion, patience, and a comprehensive understanding of their unique needs. Read on to find out what we need to know to care for stroke patients. 

Understanding Stroke and Its Effects

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. This can result in lasting brain damage, leading to varying degrees of disability. Common consequences of a stroke include partial paralysis, difficulties with speech and swallowing, cognitive impairment, and emotional changes such as depression or anxiety.

Immediate Post-Stroke Care

The initial phase after a stroke is critical. Immediate medical intervention aims to stabilise the patient and prevent further brain damage. Once the senior is discharged from the hospital, the transition to home care begins. In Singapore, this period is crucial for setting the foundation for long-term recovery and involves:

1. Medical Follow-Up: Regular check-ups with healthcare professionals are essential. This includes visits to neurologists, primary care physicians, and specialists like speech therapists and physiotherapists. Singapore offers robust healthcare services through public hospitals, polyclinics, and private practitioners, ensuring access to necessary medical care.
2. Medication Management: Seniors may need medications to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and other conditions to prevent another stroke. Caregivers should ensure medications are taken as prescribed and monitor for any side effects.
3. Creating a Safe Home Environment: Modify the living space to reduce fall risks. Install grab bars in bathrooms, ensure adequate lighting, and remove tripping hazards. Consider assistive devices like wheelchairs or walkers if mobility is an issue. The Housing & Development Board (HDB) provides support for home modifications through schemes such as the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme.

Rehabilitation and Therapy

Rehabilitation is crucial for stroke recovery, aiming to help seniors regain as much independence as possible. The type and extent of therapy required will depend on the severity of the stroke and the specific deficits it caused. Key components include:

1. Physiotherapy: Focuses on improving strength, balance, and coordination. Exercises are designed to help the senior regain mobility and perform daily activities more easily. 
2. Occupational Therapy: Helps seniors relearn everyday tasks such as dressing, eating, and bathing. It also includes strategies to compensate for any lost function and adapt to new ways of doing things. Occupational therapists are available at various healthcare facilities, including community hospitals and polyclinics.
3. Speech and Language Therapy: Essential for seniors who have difficulties with speaking, understanding language, reading, or swallowing. Therapists use exercises and techniques to improve communication and safe eating. 
4. Stroke Social Agencies:  Singapore National Stroke Association (SNSA) aims to offer an avenue of help, support and information to stroke survivors and their caregivers in their time of need. Click here to find out more about them.
5. Rehabilitation Centre: Established in 2015, S3 is Singapore’s first stroke-focused community rehabilitation and wellness agency dedicated to meeting the needs of post-stroke survivors and their caregivers across Singapore. With S3, post-discharge survivors of stroke are able to receive care continuum through rehabilitation that integrates advanced rehabilitative technologies with conventional therapy as well as our signature S3 Wellness programme supporting cognitive and psychosocial development in order to maximise recovery potential, independence and reintegration. Click here to find out more about them.

Emotional and Psychological Support

The emotional toll of a stroke can be significant. It’s common for stroke survivors to experience feelings of frustration, sadness, and helplessness. Providing emotional support is just as important as physical care.

1. Counselling and Therapy: Engaging with mental health professionals can help address depression, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. Institutions like the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and private practitioners offer counselling services.

Caring for seniors who have suffered a stroke is an ongoing journey that requires dedication, empathy, and comprehensive planning. By addressing their medical needs, facilitating rehabilitation, providing emotional support, and encouraging independence, caregivers can significantly contribute to the recovery and well-being of stroke survivors. The goal is to not only extend life but to enhance its quality, ensuring that seniors can enjoy their years with dignity and fulfilment. To find out more about the warning signs of stroke, click here to our previous article on the topic.