Encountering a stroke can raise a lot of challenges, and no two people experience a stroke in the same way. Though some stroke survivors will have very few, if any, lasting effects following a stroke, for others, a stroke will be a life-changing event that causes paralysis, weakness or numbness on one or both sides of the body. A stroke can alter an individual’s coordination and balance, and lead to changes in both behavior and judgment.
Fully understanding why a stroke survivor is displaying certain behaviors or experiencing certain symptoms can help family caregivers put together the most appropriate care plan. Several ways that stroke may possibly impact a person’s brain and level of functionality include:
A stroke in the right half of the brain can result in:
- Problems with judging distances.
- Compromised behavior and judgment. The stroke survivor may try to accomplish tasks that are no longer safe, such as driving a car. Stroke survivors with poor judgment will need help with decision-making.
- Short-term memory problems.
A stroke in the left half of the brain can result in:
- Problems with speech and language.
- Slowed and cautious behaviors. A person recovering from a stroke who feels cautious or confused will be most comfortable if the environment is ordered.
- Memory problems. The stroke survivor may not be able to remember something that occurred ten minutes ago, or may experience difficulty with learning new things. This memory loss can sometimes be so subtle that family and friends may not notice it initially.
A stroke can impact other areas of the brain as well as those mentioned above, resulting in additional changes and challenges. If someone you love has suffered from a stroke, the doctor should be able to share specific stroke information to help you better understand the impacts to be expected in his or her daily life.
Compassionate Care Home Health Services of Michigan can help provide more stroke information, as well as a safety review of a stroke survivor’s home to uncover any potential hazards and create a plan of care to meet his or her individual needs after a stroke. Call our Mid Michigan home health care and hospice team today at 877.308.1212 or contact us online to learn more about professional in-home care. For a full list of all of the communities where we provide care, please visit our Locations page.