| Surviving a stroke is more than knowing what to | | | | helping someone regain fine motor skills. For |
| do, if you think you are stroking out. Even if you | | | | example, everyday activities, once taken for |
| recognize the signs of possibly having a stroke | | | | granted, are now difficult or impossible. Getting |
| and get help immediately, you need to know how | | | | dressed, eating, writing, picking up objects are all |
| to survive the aftermath of a stroke. Whether | | | | activities that give an individual some |
| you suffer a major or minor stroke, life as you | | | | independence and dignity back after a stroke. |
| know it will change. | | | | Speech Therapy |
| Probably the first mistake most people make is | | | | Surviving a stroke often involves speech therapy. |
| the assumption that it will happen to someone | | | | Like every other activity, talking requires muscles |
| else. In truth, if you have a family history of high | | | | that may have been involved in the brain damage |
| blood pressure or strokes, you need to be | | | | caused by the stroke. Learning to speak again is |
| proactive and follow a doctor's advice to prevent | | | | essentially retraining the brain in communication |
| a stroke from occurring. But, if the unthinkable | | | | skills. It is hard work; but, it can be done. |
| does happen, you need to be prepared to deal | | | | Assistive Devices |
| with it and choose to regain as many of the | | | | Surviving a stroke may mean accepting disability |
| abilities that you may have lost. For example, | | | | and implementing assistive devices. For example, a |
| · Physical Therapy | | | | person may learn to walk again, but still have |
| · Occupational Therapy | | | | difficulty balancing or picking up a foot. Crutches |
| · Speech Therapy | | | | or a cane can help prevent a fall that can cause |
| · Assistive Devices | | | | further injury. A shower chair or handrails in the |
| · Outreach Programs | | | | bathroom can literally be a lifesaver. |
| Depending on the severity of the stroke, it can | | | | If caregivers are required, other assistive aids are |
| be a long road back to better health and | | | | available to help them move or transport a stroke |
| functionality. It would be unrealistic to assume | | | | victim safely, without injury to them or their |
| anyone would not have to go through the grieving | | | | charges. If a person does not come back from a |
| process after such a catastrophic illness. But, if it | | | | stroke to 100% of his/her former ability, aids can |
| happens to you, try not to take too long. | | | | still improve quality of life. |
| Statistically, the progress a patient is able to | | | | Outreach Programs |
| make within the first year is generally the | | | | After a stroke, it is a mistake to be let pride |
| maximum gain of former abilities. | | | | keep someone from asking for help. For example, |
| Physical Therapy | | | | if preparing meals is difficult, Meals-on-Wheels will |
| Physical therapy is vital. The treatment keeps | | | | deliver a well-balanced meal right to the door on a |
| unused muscles from atrophying and can help a | | | | daily schedule. A lot of communities have a bus |
| stroke survivor to regain gross motor skills. | | | | for the disabled. It can transport people who have |
| Especially at first, it may be necessary to go | | | | trouble getting to doctor's appointments, therapy |
| every day. But, when frustration sets in, | | | | sessions, and even the grocery store. |
| remember the goal. The more abilities a person | | | | In short, surviving a stroke is hard work and |
| regains, quality of life will improve going forward. | | | | adjustments will have to made, in order to live |
| Occupational Therapy | | | | the best quality of life possible. But, it can be |
| Occupational Therapy has nothing to do with | | | | done. So, if the unthinkable happens to you and |
| getting a new job, unless your job is learning to | | | | not the guy next door, grieve and then get busy |
| live after a stroke. Basically, it is the processes of | | | | learning to live again. |