We’ve learned about the impact of strokes on victims. But the fact is -- strokes affect four out of five families in the U.S. and those families can be an important part of the recovery process.
Having a stroke can be devastating - recovering is vital.
"So even before they go home, we have instituted a plan for them so that they have a plan for rehab for physical therapy, for occupational therapy, speech therapy even before they get discharged for the hospital. So the planning for stroke begins in the hospital,” explains Dr. Kore Liow.
Family and home considerations are extremely important when it comes to stroke victim recovery.
"Should they be staying on the upper floor because of fall risk or should they be staying on a lower floor. Do they need helpers? Do other family members need to get involved in helping?” said Dr. Liow.
Evelyn Tanaka says her family was important in her road back after her stroke.
But more importantly, she had early help so the stroke was not as bad as it could have been. She was on the road on the windward side.
"So I pulled in the fire station and I asked them, do you want to check pressure, must be high, which I know it's high. So there the ones who said, oh, no auntie, you got to do. You're getting a stroke,” said Tanaka.
There are common symptoms following a stroke - and one of those may be depression.
"Depression is common after stroke so family members should be trained to recognize some of the symptoms of depression, they should be trained to recognize some of the behavioral changes that come with stroke,” said Dr. Liow.
Stroke victims may have difficulty speaking or understanding following that episode.
But family members should know there are support groups to help them in dealing with the trauma.
Most importantly, there are certain protocols to follow when it comes to dealing with a stroke victim.
"Let them make decisions whenever they can and encourage them to be independent and encourage them to continue their activities what they've been doing,” said Liow.
