We live in a safer, more comfortable society with a better quality of life than our ancestors. Thanks to this, we live longer, enjoy our comforts more, but…Something we are forgetting is that the older we get, the more likely we are to suffer a Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident) or for a family member to suffer one.
What is a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)?
All people, from children to the elderly, can suffer a brain injury, although it is true that age is key in both prevention and recovery. Brain damage can be caused by a fall, a traffic accident, a tumor, an infection, or by suffering a stroke.
A brain injury causes some neurons to die, but other damages also occur, such as edema, protein and genetic changes inside the cell, and other problems that prevent neurons from communicating with each other properly. The sequelae will be physical and psychological. Qualities such as walking, eating, personal hygiene, or personal autonomy will be diminished. Similarly, abilities such as speaking, understanding, and expressing oneself may also be affected.
Family Support in Brain Injury
When a loved one has suffered a stroke and has significant sequelae, both the patient and the family feel overwhelmed. These are moments of uncertainty, fear, and anxiety. In many cases, the family receives little information about what is happening to their relative and how to cope with the new situation. Another key moment is when the family member returns home and the entire family dynamic has to adapt to the new situation. Emotions, family ties, the caregiver, and especially the patient will need help from different professionals for a more successful recovery.
The Importance of Making the Problem of Brain Damage Visible
Therefore, it is everyone’s task to make brain damage visible, normalize it, and inform about the paths the family should take to face the new situation as best as possible. This includes Associations in each Autonomous Community (or region/state), financial aid, therapeutic help (psychologists, educational psychologists, speech therapists, and physiotherapists), occupational therapy centers, etc. Similarly, it is necessary for there to be collaboration between the professionals who will carry out the intervention with the patient and the family members.
Finally, for society to be fairer and more egalitarian, the consequences of Stroke and ACV must be made visible, and above all, how to prevent and act in case of suffering one or if a family member suffers one.
The treatment of stroke patient recovery and the role of their family is a topic covered in ISEP’s Master in Neurorehabilitation. Don’t hesitate to ask for information!