Stroke Recovery Caregiver Handbook Table of contents Introduction Section 1 The Brain and Stroke 1.1 How the brain works 1.2 Understanding stroke and TIA 1.3 5 warning signs of stroke 1.4 Risk factors for stroke 1.5 Effects of stroke 1.6 Stroke recovery Section 2 The Interprofessional Care Team Section 3 Communicating with Stroke Survivors 3.1 Communication 3.2 Specific communication impairments 3.3 Cognitive communication impairments Section 4 Identifying post-stroke pain in stroke survivors 4.1 Defining pain 4.2 Facts about pain in stroke survivors 4.3 Central post-stroke pain 4.4 Hemiplegic shoulder pain 4.5 Shoulder subluxation 4.6 Spasticity 4.7 Shoulder or Hand syndrome 4.8 Other shoulder and arm conditions 4.9 Identifying pain in stroke survivors Section 5 Helping Stroke Survivors with Cognitive Problems 5.1 Attention 5.2 Orientation 5.3 Memory 5.4 Insight 5.5 Judgment 5.6 Impulsivity 5.7 Sequencing 5.8 Problem solving Section 6 Helping Stroke Survivors with Perceptual problems 6.1 Time awareness 6.2 Spatial relations 6.3 Visual neglect 6.4 Unilateral body neglect 6.5 Apraxia 6.6 Perseveration 6.7 Vision problems Section 7 Managing Post-Stroke Depression 7.1 First reactions 7.2 Later reactions 7.3 Post-stroke depression 7.4 Signs of post-stroke depression 7.5 How you can help Section 8 Strategies to Deal with Behavior Problems Post-Stroke 8.1 Personality changes 8.2 Emotional Lability 8.3 Social isolation 8.4 Anger and aggression 8.5 Lethargy (lack of interest) 8.6 Social judgment Section 9 Mobility, Positioning and Transfers 9.1 Moving after a stroke 9.2 Assisting with mobility 9.3 Positioning 9.4 Transfers 9.5 Wheelchair use 9.6 Walking 9.7 Assistive devices 9.8 Arm support Section 10A Medication management 10.1 Types of medications 10.2 Understanding the prescription 10.3 Medication reconciliation 10.4 Common medication problems 10.5 Questions to ask about medication management Section 10B Bladder and Bowel Management 10.1 Normal bladder function 10.2 Stroke and loss of bladder control 10.3 Stroke and bowel function 10.4 Managing bladder and bowel problems 10.5 Strategies for managing urinary incontinence Section 11 Maintaining Proper Hydration 11.1 Daily fluid requirements 11.2 Dehydration and stroke 11.3 Learn how to live with Diabetes 11.4 Get routine care to stay healthy 11.5 Things to remember 11.6 My Diabetes care card 11.7 I can control my Diabetes by working with my health care team Section 12 Meal Maintenance and Special Diets 12.1 Eating and swallowing after stroke 12.2 Consequences of eating and swallowing problems 12.3 Observing signs and symptoms of swallowing problems 12.4 Management of swallowing problems 12.5 Assistive devices for meals 12.6 Oral hygiene Section 13 Activities of Daily Living 13.1 Stroke and daily routines 13.2 Toileting 13.3 Bathing 13.4 Grooming 13.5 Dressing Section 14 Skin Care and Hygiene 14.1 How stroke affects skin 14.2 Cleaning the contracted hand 14.3 Hygiene and incontinence Section 15 Identifying and Planning Leisure Activities 15.1 The importance of leisure activities 15.2 Meaningful leisure activities 15.3 What you can do to help 15.4 Community resources and information 15.5 Assistive devices Section 16 Impact of Stroke on Survivor’s Family 16.1 What you can do to help 16.2 Stresses on the informal caregiver Section 17 Legal, Finance and Health Coverage 17.1 First things first: determine what documents your loved ones need 17.2 Financial assistance 17.3 Prescription drug costs