> Recovery and Coping

Treat people as individuals. Every person who has had a Stroke is different.

• Slow down and talk in short, clear sentences.
  
• Ask direct questions that can be answered with “yes” or “no”.
  For example “would you like a cup of tea?”
  
• Give the person plenty of time to answer.
  
• Use words like who, what, where, and when. Eg “ Your brush is where?”
  
• Don’t shout at the person – they’re not deaf!
  
• When starting to speak, give the person time to tune in.
  - Touch the person and pause.
  - Say their name first.
  
• Use a Verbal lead in.
  - For example “Oh by the way, I meant to ask you…”
  - Or, “What do you think about…”
  
• Place the key word at the end of a sentence.
  - “What do you want for dinner?”
  - “It’s time for your bath.”
  - “You have a visitor – it’s Tony.”
  - “Shall we go in the car?”
  
• Never assume that the person is not trying.
  
• Never talk about the person as if they are not there.
  
• Always ensure that the person is comfortable.
  
• Remember, people affected by Stroke sometimes can’t feel one side of their body.
  
• Try to ignore outbursts of weeping, anger, laughing or swearing – some people can’t control this.

To Top

© Stroke Recovery Association NSW
PO Box 3401  PUTNEY NSW  AUSTRALIA 2112
Telephone:  + 61(02) 9807 6422 or 1300 650 594 
Fax: + 61(02) 9808 6173 
email :info@strokensw.org.au