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strokes It is the leading cause of adult disability across the UK, affecting an estimated 100,000 individuals annually.
These events occur when the brain’s blood supply is suddenly disrupted due to a clot or bleeding, causing brain cells to die.
However, the outcome is highly unpredictable, with results varying greatly depending on the brain area affected and the extent of the damage.
It is a big challenge to provide tailored support survivorsBecause symptoms can manifest as physical weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, cognitive impairment such as memory or speech difficulties, emotional changes including depression and increased anger, or deep, debilitating fatigue.
Sarah Adderley, an associate director Stroke Associationsays about 240 people have a stroke every day, which equates to about one stroke every five minutes.
“As you age, the risk of stroke increases, but it’s completely unimaginable that this is something that only happens to older people – we’re seeing more and more working-age people having stroke every year,” she explains.
There are 1.4 million stroke survivors in the UK, she says, and about a third of them will have speech affected, but there may also be a variety of physical or cognitive effects. “It would be really unique, and that’s the challenge in terms of supporting people after stroke,” she explains.
“If you’ve seen a stroke, you’ve seen a stroke – they’re all completely different, because the brain is a complex organ.”
Austin Willett, CEO different strokeswhich promotes independent stroke recovery for young stroke survivors, says about a quarter of strokes occur in people of working age or younger.
He warns, “A stroke can strike without warning and can completely alter life, not only for the person affected but also for those who love them.”
“Some of the toughest challenges are invisible, which can make stroke particularly isolating. But because every stroke is different, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. Every survivor’s needs are unique, and it’s important that support reflects that individuality.”
But there are some common grounds for getting the help people need when they have a stroke. Here’s what experts suggest…
1. Push for early rehabilitation
Early and consistent rehabilitation gives people the best chance to regain skills and confidence, says Willett, while continued access to therapy and support helps maintain progress over the long term.
He stressed, “It is not listening, understanding and diagnosis but tailoring the rehabilitation of the person that makes all the difference.” “Access to timely, specialist rehabilitation is vital – no one’s recovery should be hindered by gaps in the system or time-limited services.”
Adderley points out that, for example, survivors who have impaired speech should get the support of a speech and language therapist, which he says is difficult to obtain at the moment. Physical impairments may require assistance from a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
“The amount of support people get will depend on where they live,” she explains.
“But more and more we’re hearing that it’s the hidden effects that really impact their daily lives – things like the psychological impact of a stroke, a devastating event that comes out of nowhere. There’s a lot of trauma involved, and worry about whether it could happen again, that kind of thing. The psychological impact is huge.”
2. Try to understand the depth of fatigue
Adderley says fatigue is a big problem after stroke, and explains: “We hear all the time from stroke survivors that people don’t understand what they mean by fatigue – they’re not just a little tired, they’re exhausted, and when they get to that point in a day they have to stop.
“Those hidden effects can be just as important as the physical effects that are clearly visible.”
She explains that for some people, post-stroke fatigue “can last forever”. Some days this may be better than others, and some survivors may need regular naps to ‘reset’.
“It gets them off their feet — it’s a game-changer,” she says, emphasizing that if a survivor has recovered enough to return to work, they may need to organize their work day so they can get a little rest at some point.
3. Help Them Practice Therapy
Adderley says there are practical ways family members can help stroke survivors, such as encouraging them to practice given therapeutic exercises.
“So with speech therapy, physio etc., practice and repetition is important,” she insists. “Certainly, with communication issues, we know that if people are encouraged to talk and communicate with their loved ones and find ways to make sure they’re connecting, that’s really powerful.”
4. Don’t finish their sentences
Adderley explains that for people who have difficulty speaking after a stroke, it can be tempting to complete sentences, but that’s not always the best thing to do. She explains, “It’s human nature to finish other people’s sentences or interrupt immediately when there’s a long silence, whereas in reality, for someone with communication difficulties, you need to really try and get an answer out before giving them time to process it.”
5. Help them connect with others in their situation
Willett says it’s so important to help stroke survivors connect with people who really understand what they’re going through. “To combat isolation, a sense of community and belonging can be vital to well-being,” he explains, “providing hope, encouragement and reassurance that no one has to face recovery alone.”
“With the right support and understanding, stroke survivors can and do live fulfilling lives.”
6. Remember that the stroke survivor is not the only one who needs help
Family members and caregivers also need support, and Willett emphasizes: “They play an essential role in recovery, yet the toll on them is often overlooked.”
adderley says Stroke Association Carer run support groups, and carers of stroke survivors may also benefit from the help of other general carer organisations. She explains: “It’s about giving carers ‘allowance’ to know that the stroke is having an impact on them too, and they can ask for help for their own needs as well as those of the stroke survivor.
“There’s a lot of guilt associated with it, so it’s important that people stay connected to others in similar situations, so they know they’re not alone. We need to make sure they understand what has happened and how they can support the stroke survivor and keep themselves well too.”
7. Take advantage of support groups
Adderley emphasizes that it’s important to simply know that there are expert support organizations out there. “A lot of people feel like they’ve fallen off a cliff after a stroke and feel really lonely, so it’s really important to know that they can get support from people who understand what they’re going through.”
8. Be patient
Recovery from stroke can continue for many years, explains Willett, who adds: “We should not put arbitrary time limits on progress – people often continue to make small but meaningful improvements even after the first few months.”
Adderley says: “You see people doing things that no one ever expected, and reaching goals that people thought were unattainable. So the recovery period continues.”