Introduction
Stroke caregiving is different from caring for other conditions that gradually worsen over time because stroke occurs suddenly. This abrupt change doesn’t leave caregivers much time to prepare and they are often left feeling overwhelmed in their new role. However, the challenge for stroke caregivers does not end here. Researchers have called the transition from rehab or acute care back into the home a “second unexpected crisis” for family caregivers as it can result in them doing most of the work, often without any training1.
More than 70% of American’s who have had a stroke report mild to major levels of ongoing disability and functional impairments2. Stroke caregivers need short, effective on-demand skills-based training to manage their loved one’s care transitions and ongoing impairments. We are pleased to announce that Trualta has expanded the content library to include specific modules about stroke recovery and stroke caregiving to address this need. Our new “Stroke” badge includes modules like:
Understanding Stroke
Understanding what a stroke is and what its effects are is an important step for both stroke prevention and recovery. This lesson provides an overview of ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes, as well as some of the effects that a stroke can have on your loved one.
Eating & Swallowing
Learn how a stroke can affect your loved one’s ability to eat and swallow, and what potential health problems to keep an eye out for as a result. This lesson also provides helpful strategies to support your loved one during the different stages of a meal and to ensure they are still able to participate in social events that involve meals.
Cognition
A stroke can cause problems with the way the mind works. Although cognitive changes are invisible, they can still have a large impact on the way your loved one functions. Use this lesson to learn about different techniques you can use to help your loved one overcome difficulties with attention, memory, orientation, problem solving, judgment, and executive functioning.
Perception
Stroke can cause your loved one to have difficulty with perception, or the way they process and interpret information from their five senses. Although perception changes are also invisible, they can have a large impact on your loved one. Use this lesson to learn about different techniques you can use to help your loved one overcome difficulties with time awareness, spatial relations, spatial neglect, apraxia, visual changes, and sensation.
Communication
Some people experience communication problems after a stroke. It’s important to remember that the person who had a stroke is just as intelligent as they were before the stroke! Use this lesson to learn about different types of post-stroke communication problems and helpful tips you can use to make communication with your loved one easier.
Movement, Fatigue, and Pain
A stroke can affect the way a person’s brain and body communicate, which can cause problems with movements, fatigue, and pain. This lesson has tips to help the person who had a stroke move safely and efficiently. It also has specific strategies to help address your loved one’s stroke-related fatigue and pain.
Emotional Recovery
Experiencing and surviving a stroke is not easy. It is common for your loved one who had a stroke to feel many different emotions. In fact, 1 in 3 people who have had a stroke experience depression. Use this lesson to learn ways to support your loved one’s emotional changes and how to recognize the signs of depression.
Secondary Prevention
Certain lifestyle changes can help prevent a second stroke. This lesson provides caregivers and their loved ones with 5 lifestyle changes to consider for stroke prevention. It also reminds caregivers of the stroke warning signs and what they should do if they notice warning signs in their loved one.
To learn more about our new Stroke & Recovery content for caregivers, contact Leda Rosenthal, Director of Growth, at Leda@Trualta.com or 1-800-214-5085 ext 1.