Caring for someone after a stroke: how to help your loved one recover

Stroke — is one of the most serious diseases of the nervous system, which occurs as a result of impaired blood supply to the brain. Due to lack of oxygen, brain cells begin to die, which leads to various disorders in the body's functioning. Some people suffer from speech, while others have motor functions, memory or vision. Often, after a stroke, it is difficult for a person to move independently, speak or even perform elementary actions — get out of bed, eat or take a shower.

That is why it is very important after such a serious illness to provide the person with the necessary support and buy medical goods for rehabilitation to improve comfort and speed up recovery.

Rehabilitation after a stroke — is a long process that requires patience, consistency and properly organized care. The patient's relatives play a key role in this, because they are the ones who help their loved one restore skills every day, provide moral support, and create conditions for a safe life at home.

What happens to the body after a stroke

A stroke affects not only the brain. As a result of its dysfunction, various body systems suffer:

• Musculoskeletal system. Paralysis or paresis of one half of the body (arms, legs, or face) often occurs. The person cannot move independently, perform precise movements.
   
• Speech function. It may be difficult to speak or understand spoken language.
   
• Coordination and balance. The patient may lose balance, which makes him vulnerable to falls.
   
• Psycho-emotional state. Depression, apathy, anxiety often appear, which slows down the recovery process.

Understanding these consequences helps relatives better understand how to care for a person after a stroke and how to create comfortable conditions for them without overloading them, how to treat their abilities with respect and needs.

Basic rules for caring for a person with a stroke at home

After discharge from the hospital, the patient needs special conditions. Here are some important recommendations for organizing care:

1. Create a safe space

Arrange the room so that the patient can move around without the risk of injury. Remove excess carpets, wires, non-slip mats in the bathroom. To facilitate movement, it is recommended to buy a walking rollator or walker for adults, which will provide stability and confidence during movement.

2. Provide a comfortable place to rest

After a stroke, a person often has to spend a lot of time in bed. A regular bed is not always comfortable and safe — it can cause bedsores or make it difficult to get up. In this case, it is advisable to buy a medical bed with adjustable sections, which allows you to change the position of the body without excessive strain. Such beds have special handrails, wheels for movement and a backrest tilt function, which greatly simplifies care.

If a person lies still for a long time, then it is worth worrying about preventing bedsores and purchasing an anti-bedsore mattress. 

3. Help gradually restore mobility

Physical activity is the basis of rehabilitation after a stroke. You need to start with simple movements: turning in bed, raising your arms, bending your legs, trying to sit up.

When the condition allows, you can use a arm exerciser after a stroke or universal leg exercisers. They help maintain muscle tone, improve blood circulation, and stimulate the work of neuromuscular connections.

It is also important to encourage the patient to achieve small daily victories: pick up a spoon, keep your balance, take a few steps - all this is part of the big recovery process.

4. Make hygiene procedures easier

The bathroom should be as safe as possible. To avoid falls, it is worth installing handrails in the bathroom or near the toilet. They will help the patient to hold on confidently when getting up or moving. Additionally, you can use a special shower chair or footrest to reduce the load during washing.

5. Maintain communication and a positive attitude

Psychological comfort is no less important than physical exercise. A person after a stroke often feels helpless, dependent on others. Try to speak calmly, support, praise for every progress.

You shouldn't do everything for the patient, it's better to create conditions in which he can independently perform possible actions. This increases motivation and speeds up recovery.

Useful products for post-stroke care

To make home care effective and safe, it is important to choose the right medical products. In the MED1 online medical equipment store you will find everything you need for comfortable rehabilitation:

• Medical beds with electrical or mechanical adjustment, for a comfortable body position and prevention of bedsores.
   
• Walking rollators — provide stability, help train coordination and move confidently even on the street. On the website you can buy a walking rollator with a seat and a basket for things — convenient for walking and home use.
   
• Canes and walkers — for the initial stages of mobility restoration.
   
• Arm and leg exercisers — from simple mechanical to electronic models that help maintain muscle tone and develop limbs after paralysis.
   
• Bathroom grab bars — for safe movement during hygiene procedures, especially if the patient has impaired coordination or weakness in the legs.

Each of these products is of great importance for the patient's daily comfort and safety. Thanks to them, you can significantly facilitate care and make rehabilitation after a stroke more effective.

Caring for a person after a stroke is a real challenge for the family, but at the same time it is a path to recovery that can be taken together. It is important to remember: even the smallest steps forward are already a success. Support, patience and a properly organized environment help a person believe in their own strength and return to a full life. And if you need high-quality equipment for home care, the MED1 online store of medical supplies for bedridden patients is always there.