Supporting Your Dad After a Stroke

What are your dad’s care needs going to be after a stroke? It depends on the severity and what abilities it impacts. He is going to need support, even after a mild stroke.

What Happens In a Stroke?

A stroke may be caused by a ruptured blood vessel. Or, it can be a blood clot or piece of plaque that breaks free somewhere in the body and creates a blockage in the brain. Blood flow to the brain is interrupted, which starves the brain of oxygen and causes damage that can be mild or severe.

Typically, a stroke that happens in the right side of the brain affects the left side of the body. A stroke on the left side of the brain affects the right side of the body. If he’s right handed and suddenly cannot use that arm or hand, he won’t be able to write, sign checks, etc.

If his stroke impacted his legs, walking may be difficult. His vision may be impacted. Don’t be surprised if his medical team tells your family that he’ll need a wheelchair or walker for months, if not the rest of his life. How do you know what support he’s going to need after a stroke?

Ask His Medical Team

Your dad is working with doctors, nurses, and physical, occupational, and speech therapists. He may also work with a respiratory therapist. Each of these professionals will have plenty of advice on the assistance he’ll need once he goes home.

You should expect that he’ll need someone with him night and day. He’ll have medications to take each day. Sometimes, those medications have to be taken at specific intervals, and sometimes, those intervals are going to fall in the middle of the night.

If your dad’s mobility is impacted, someone needs to go through his home and make sure it’s safe for him to return. He needs wide hallways, a bedroom and bathroom on the main floor, and a kitchen area for his meals and snacks.

He may need a shower seat where he can sit down to shower. A transfer seat is helpful if he is in a wheelchair. To wash himself, he’ll want to have a hand-held shower wand. He may need a personal care aide to help him with showers, dressing, and grooming.

Following a stroke, your dad will not be allowed to drive. Even if he feels fine, his doctor needs to give him medical clearance. If he was behind the wheel and had another stroke, he could injure himself and others, so he has to listen to his doctor.

Don’t be surprised if he’s more anxious or experiencing depression after his stroke. He might not want to be alone at night. If he’d be more comfortable having someone awake and ready to help him at all hours, 24-hour home care services are important.

Your dad’s recovery will take time. Support him with 24-hour home care services and make sure he has a ride to his follow-up appointments and therapy sessions. If he’d be happier having therapists come to his home, talk to his doctors about making it happen.