According to the World Stroke Organization, one in four people suffer from stroke worldwide.
In the United Arab Emirates, a report says that around 8,000 to 10,000 have a bout with stroke every year.
Because of these alarming facts, no one can deny that a stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is one of the most prevalent and frightening debilitating and possibly fatal diseases in the world right now.
Stroke Recovery
During the recovery stage, the focus is on helping the stroke patient increase their level of function and health, and reduce their chances of getting another stroke.
But CVA patients will need all the help they can get to achieve these important goals. Family members will have to step up.
Besides consulting with a specialist in a hospital or clinic, or an independent doctor in the UAE, hiring a qualified home nurse will also help greatly in the whole recovery process.
This matters a lot, especially for families where everyone is working or preoccupied with other concerns. Having an experienced healthcare professional taking care of their loved one’s needs can certainly give them peace of mind.
Below are the different ways a private nurse can aid in the recovery of a stroke patient:
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Provide daily care and support
The private nurse will be the main care provider of the stroke patient. This is because during the first weeks following hospitalization, stroke patients will have mobility and balancing problems.
As such, their movements will be limited. They may be confined to their bed for several days as well.
During this stage and even beyond, some of the more important responsibilities of a home nurse are:
- Providing personal care such as bathing, brushing, and dressing or assisting the patient with doing these
- Helping the patient with personal hygiene (toileting, washing, etc.)
- Preparing meals
- Feeding or helping the patient eat
- Reminding the patient to take medicines based on a schedule
- Accompanying the patient during checkups
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Monitor the patient’s lifestyle and facilitate necessary changes
CVA can be caused by different lifestyle risk factors. If stroke patients continue to have unhealthy lifestyles, their risk of getting another CVA will only increase.
Home nurses can reduce this risk and keep their wards healthier by:
- Encouraging them to have a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Helping them maintain a healthy weight
- Assisting and encouraging them to get the recommended amount of exercise daily
- Urging them to quit smoking and drinking or to limit their consumption of these substances
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Be on the lookout for and prevent other complications
Aside from the possibility of getting a second stroke, CVA survivors are at risk of developing various health complications. A home nurse should be able to spot the following quickly and help prevent these further health issues:
These include:
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Bed ulcers or sores
As the constant companion of the patient, the private nurse will be in charge of checking the patient’s body constantly for the onset or presence of bed ulcers or sores.
If the patient is immobile and bedridden, the care provider will have to move the ward every two hours. The nurse will also have to help the patient in doing some recommended exercises as well.
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Urinary tract infection
The home medical service provider will also have to take a proactive role in ensuring that the patient urinates frequently and is not remiss with proper hygiene.
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Chest infections
The private nurse will also need to be on constant lookout for symptoms of chest infections such as a cough, problems with breathing, and fever. If these symptoms are noticeable, the nurse will have to report this to the patient’s immediate family so that they can set an appointment with a doctor immediately.
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Pain in the shoulders, arms and legs
Lastly, stroke patients will often feel aches and pains in different parts of the body. The patient should be able to communicate this pain to the nurse. Sometimes, a simple massage can help soothe the pain.
In case pain relievers have been prescribed, the nurse has to ensure that the patient takes them on schedule.
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Offer emotional support
A stroke is a traumatic event that comes with big life changes. As such, many patients may struggle with difficult emotional changes. Oftentimes, they will fall easily into depression.
Depression can deter a stroke patient’s recovery both physically and emotionally. A home nurse can help the patient overcome this condition by being an active listener and by providing encouragement and emotional support.
It is also important that the home nurse shares the concerns and feelings of the ward with the patient’s family since professional intervention may be needed in some cases.
Patients who have survived a stroke will experience a lot of changes in their life. But with their family’s support and the help of a home nurse, they can recover fully and still enjoy many years of life ahead.
