Families and Carers
As a health care professional you need to ensure that you consider the psychological impact of a stroke on the service user. This can cause emotional, personality and behavioural changes many of which will impact on relationships with the family and friends.
I wish dad would go back to how he was
I never thought I would live to see my son in this way. It is heartbreaking.
My husband has become so short tempered lately. He is taking all of this out on me, he is not the person I married.
Dad has stopped playing football with me in the park, what did I do wrong, does he still love me?
Talking to a service user about their relationships with their loved ones can be difficult. Try to show empathy and put yourself in the situation of each family member. Family meetings and involvement in rehabilitation sessions can help.
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Potential Support Networks
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Dementia refers to any condition that results in reduced cognitive ability or memory. Families of stroke survivors can find becoming a Dementia Friend can help. Extremely useful for students and staff too (takes 5 minutes to sign up!)
The Stroke Association are a registered charity who focus on supporting stroke survivors and their families. Excellent resources for staff too.
Age UK provide support for elderly service users and their families. Stroke can occur at any age however a greater risk is associated with increased age.