> After a Stroke
Financial
If the Stroke affected person is the main income earner in the
family, a sudden loss of income exaggerates the anguish experienced.
The Social Worker can assist by liaising with the employer for payment
of sick leave, or commencement of sickness benefits is leave is
exhausted. If return to work is not possible the person is eligible
for a Disability Support Pension. If the person is retired the Mature
Age Allowance or Age Pension will continue as before.
Centrelink will provide further information. A Stroke often
serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping one’s financial
and legal affairs in order. The Social Worker has a most important
role in this respect. Very occasionally, a Stroke may permanently
impair decision-making abilities. This may be a serious problem,
particularly when a person is in a position of responsibility or
of influence or controls substantial assets. There are legal means
for accepting responsibility for a person’s financial affairs,
but this requires careful and discrete deliberation between family,
doctors and solicitors. Difficulty in expression does not necessarily
mean that intellectual faculties are impaired.
Roles
The Stroke affected person’s role in the family, may change
dramatically, particularly in the short term. When the person cannot
fulfil a role, it may be taken over by the spouse or a family member.
There may also be complex cultural issues pertaining to specific
cultural backgrounds, which will need to be considered. These extra
responsibilities may include managing the finances, looking after
the garden, doing household chores and shopping. The person who
has had a Stroke may welcome such a change of roles or it may cause
depression and loss of self-esteem. Sympathetic discussion of these
problems will lessen the impact.
Occasionally, other family members are incapable of assuming the
new responsibilities, either because of age, illness, inability
to cope with increased stress, or lack of proximity, or simply lack
of desire. It should be noted that some Stroke affected people may
have difficulty accepting outside assistance, particularly the elderly,
and will stubbornly reject assistance of this nature, unless the
matter is broached tactfully. Return of the Stroke affected person
to their family can be trialled, first for a day, then for a weekend
etc. This provides opportunities to resolve difficulties, and for
both the Stroke person and their family to become confident that
they will manage. Should the person or their family be unable to
manage, then placement may be needed in special accommodation or
a nursing home. These decisions must never be taken lightly, as
this can be extremely traumatic for the Stroke person.
Sexual Relations
Many people affected by Stroke and their partners are afraid to
resume sexual relations, fearing sex might provoke another Stroke.
They are also embarrassed about discussing the matter with doctors.
Sexual intercourse seldom causes Stroke, and by the time the person
has returned home, any risk has passed. Stroke does not physically
impair one’s capability for sexual intercourse, but there
may be a number of psychological problems inhibiting satisfactory
resumption of relations. If this occurs, your social worker or general
practitioner can refer you for appropriate help.
Family Stress
If the Stroke affected person regains only partial independence,
enormous stresses and strains can be placed on a partner, which
may cause sleep disturbance, depression and anxiety. It is virtually
impossible for one person to do all the tasks of both partners,
so you should not be embarrassed about enlisting the help of a handyman,
local service club and community support services. A Stroke person
can be very demanding, and it is often difficult to carry on with
every day activities. However, it is most important for the family
to maintain social contacts and outside interests.
Recurring Stroke
Stroke affected people and their families often worry about the
likelihood of further Stroke and can be on tenterhooks all the time.
Such anxiety is common and should be discussed with members of the
Stroke Team. This often places enormous stress on the family due
to the anxiety related demands placed by the Stroke person on the
family or reluctance of the family to allow the Stroke person to
return home and or live independently.
Children
When Stroke occurs in the younger age groups special issues in
relation to children may need to be addressed. Anxiety that a further
Stroke will occur is just one factor. Others include the change
in body image and change in the ability to interact as they were
prior to the Stroke (care for, play, talk, express emotions) and
these may need to be addressed. These issues will need to be discussed
with both the children and the Stroke person.
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© 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
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