Strokes can be very difficult for the survivor as well as for the family. A huge part of a successful recovery is simply helping the stroke victim to regain some of their independence after a stroke. There are many things that are taken for granted that symbolize independence. You may not even think of the little things like the ability to dress yourself, until you can’t anymore.
The following are some areas and options for helping stroke victims to gain back their independence after a stroke.
Cooking and Meal Preparation
If a stroke survivor lives alone, or just wants to be able to fix food for themselves, it may be difficult to handle the fact that they can no longer handle basic kitchen equipment, such as a can opener. However, there are many small electric appliances and kitchen modifications which also make it possible for the stroke survivor to participate in meal preparation, and regain some independence in this area.
Dressing and Grooming
Dressing oneself is a basic form of independence. Also, being able to look neat and attractive despite disabilities can enhances a stroke survivor’s self-image, and keep them from depression and other common problems of stroke survivors.
There are many ways to eliminate the difficulties in getting dressed. The following is a bullet list of things you can do to help stroke survivors have independence in this areas:
– Avoid tight-fitting sleeves, armholes, pant legs and waistlines.
– Avoid clothes which must be put on over the head.
– Chose clothes that fasten in front.
– Replace buttons, zippers and shoe laces with Velcro fastners.
– Purchase devices which can aid in dressing and grooming, including a mirror which hangs around the neck, a long-handled shoe horn and a device to help pull on stockings.
All of these suggestions will only slightly change their norm, and allow for greater independence and happiness.
Diet, Nutrition and Eating
One of the best ways to help a stroke victim regain independence after stroke is to help ensure they do not suffer from a second stroke. One of the best ways to do this is through their diet. A low-salt, low-fat, low-cholesterol diet can help prevent a recurrent stroke. People with high blood pressure should limit the amount of salt they eat. Those with high cholesterol or hardening of the arteries should avoid foods containing high levels of saturated fats (i.e., animal fats).
Another benefit of the above diet choices is that these diet choices help to control can enhance the benefits of the drugs which may have been prescribed for control of a specific condition. Thus, their medication will work better, and recovery and independence after a stroke will be faster as well.
Also, part of the diet is to help control weight. Many stroke victims lose their ability to be active. Inactive people can easily become overweight from eating more than a sedentary lifestyle requires. This compounds the problems they already have as obesity can also make it difficult for someone with a stroke-related disability to move around and exercise.
Some stroke survivors have difficulty eating because they do not have as good of control. If this is the case, you can purchase special utensils can help people with physically-impaired arms and hands at the table. These include flatware with built-up handles which are easier to grasp, rocker knives for cutting food with one hand and attachable rings which keep food from being pushed off the plate accidentally.
There are many steps you can take to help a stroke survivor adjust back to their previous life and still have independence after a stroke.
Is it safe to have sex after a stroke?
Sex is a big part of a lot of people’s lives, and a stroke can greatly impact your sex life. The biggest concern for most stroke survivors when it comes to sex is whether or not it is safe to have sex after a stroke.
Whether or not it is safe to have sex after a stroke depends on a number of factors, including the following three:
1. The severity of the stroke.
2. The risk of having another stroke.
3. The amount of time elapsed since the stroke.
The severity of the stroke is going to play a role in whether or not it is safe to have sex after or not, basically for many, if the stroke is too severe, erection and ejaculation are not possible, or very difficult to get after stroke, but should a man be able to, it would not be unsafe to have sex.
The risk of having another stroke could play a role in the safety of sex, as sex often gets the blood pressure up, and this may cause a stroke, but the likelihood of this is slim to none. However, the fear of this keeps many from desiring sex after stroke, so the problem does not become the safety as much as the desire.
The amount of time elapsed since the stroke occurred is important. While stroke survivors need to be loved and give love, they should not participate in too much activity for at least a couple of months after a stroke.
So for the question, is sex safe after a stroke? The answer is Yes. Sex is generally safe. However, it does raise your blood pressure, and if this is already dangerously high, you may want to avoid sex. Or you could ask your doctor to recommend tablets to lower your blood pressure. The problem with this is that some blood pressure lowering tablets can adversely effect a man’s ability to get an erection.
If you experience problems in having sex, discuss this with your doctor. He or she can arrange a change in medication or alternative medical help, such as tablets, injections into the penis or even surgery.
For many the problem becomes that sexuality changes after a stroke. The quality of a couple’s sexual relationship following a stroke differs from couple to couple. Most couples find that their sexual relationship has changed; whether or not that change is a problem will depend on the couple and how they feel about it. The closeness that a couple shares before a stroke is the best indicator of how their relationship will evolve after the stroke. If you had relationship problems before a stroke, or you closeness depended entirely on sex, then after a stroke that could be a problem.
Is sex possible after a stroke?
For most people the answer is yes. However, this comes with the warning that most men have difficulty getting a good erection after their stoke, although this should be only temporary. You have two sets of nerves, running down both sides of your spinal cord to your penis. Even if you lose one set of nerves, the other set will be able to get the job done, you just have to sort of recondition yourself. It is very rare to have both sets affected by a stroke.
Women too lose their sex drives after a stroke, but this is usually due to tiredness.
If you are worried if it is safe or not for you to have sex after a stroke, consult your physician, they will know better than anyone else whether or not this is going to have a negative impact on you.