Supporting you to adjust to life after a stroke

Readjusting to life after a stroke can be difficult. You may feel exhausted or anxious about the future or angry that this has happened to you, or someone you care about.

Bluebird Care can provide the extra home care and support you need to manage these challenges. Our dedicated staff team are experienced in providing practical, emotional and social support to help you enjoy a normal and independent life.

 A stroke can happen to anyone at any age, but family history, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure can all increase the risk of stroke.

Each person’s experience will be different, so we always ask about what is important in your life and your personal needs and preferences. Together we create a personalised home care and support plan to help you achieve your specific goals and to live the life that you want. You are always in control, we respect it’s your home and your choice. The services we offer include:

• Support with rehabilitation. Encouragement to relearn skills and new ways of managing tasks of day to day living
• A good morning start to your day, with help to wash, dress and have breakfast
• Support to be involved in activities that are important to you, seeing friends and family, or going for a walk
• Practical help around your home such as housework, shopping and laundry
• Assistance with taking your medicines and/or making sure you have a readily available supply
• Preparing nutritious meals and providing the support you need to eat and drink well to reduce the risk of further strokes
• A night time call to settle you comfortably in bed
• 24 hour home care service to give carers a short term break or live-in care on longer term basis

What is a stroke?

A stroke may be caused by a ruptured blood vessel or a blood clot that blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Each person will be affected differently depending upon the location and extent of damage to the brain cells.

The effects of a stroke and support to stay well

After a stroke about a third of people will develop asphasia. This condition affects communication skills such as speaking, reading, writing and understanding. It does not affect a person’s intelligence and so can be very frustrating. Some people may experience a loss of memory or ability to concentrate. Bluebird Care’s fully trained Healthcare Assistants use a range of different communication methods and tools to help the person express what they want. When planning your home care and support we find out what works best for you.

You may experience loss of bladder or bowel control. This can cause embarrassment. Our staff respect your dignity when providing personal care to reassure you.

Normal responses to the trauma of a stroke are depression, anger or inability to control emotions even though this may be uncharacteristic. These behaviours can be compounded by anxiety about health or getting back to work and the side effects of medication. Families may notice a change in personality traits or behaviours. At Bluebird Care we pay attention to how you and your family are feeling, we support you as far as possible to regain control by being patient and listening.

Physical effects of a stroke include seizures, weakness or paralysis often on one side of the body or lack of awareness of one side of your body and extreme fatigue. Our high quality home care services provide practical help to alleviate the impact of these conditions.