What Is Palliative Care and Its Importance in Stroke Recovery?

Stroke is the word used to refer to a medical condition that causes a sudden stoppage in the supply of blood to the brain. This stoppage can either be due to an issue with the arteries supplying the brain blood or because of bleeding inside the brain.

The mortality and recovery rate of this medical condition is often determined by certain factors such as the victim’s age, the affected area, underlying conditions, and the level of brain tissue damage the condition caused.

Unfortunately, this condition isn’t rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 795,000 people suffer from stroke every year in the United States. You can visit here to check out this statistic. This condition is also responsible for 1 out of every 6 cardiovascular disease deaths.

This is why, whenever someone has this condition, utmost care must be given to help them recover or if the prognosis is terminal, make their transition more comfortable. This is where palliative care comes in. In this article, we will discuss what it is all about and its importance in stroke recovery.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care refers to the specialized and holistic care given to people who suffer from serious illnesses that affect their quality of life. If a person has a stroke, they may be unable to carry on without assisted care. This is typically because this condition can significantly affect mobility; it also comes with other effects. Palliative treatment would be recommended for such patients depending on their medical complications, functional impairment level, and treatment needs.

Why Palliative Care Is Vital for Stroke Recovery?

There are so many reasons why this special treatment is needed when a person suffers a stroke. One of these reasons is the holistic approach being applied to ensure every medical need and condition is attended to. All these often lead to a better chance of recovery for the patients. Below are some of the reasons why palliative care is necessary for a person recovering from a stroke.

Can Be Done at Home

The process of recovering from a stroke can be quite long and sometimes have unpredictable outcomes. Because of this, the patient can go home after a brief rehabilitation period to continue recovering. When the patient gets discharged from the hospital after rehabilitation, their family members most likely won’t be able to provide the more complex care the patient may need.

In this case, a palliative treatment team can provide this care for them at home. According to Longleaf Hospice palliative stroke care, these health professionals can also impart nursing skills to the family member who will be taking care of the patient. By providing this specialized care for the survivors from the comfort of their homes, it becomes easier for the patient to settle in and make good progress in their recovery journey.

Involves a Team of Multidisciplinary Health Professionals

Because stroke comes with several effects that cut across different fields of medicine, proper treatment of the condition must involve different health professionals. This treatment option is often very holistic and enlists the skills of different professionals. Some of the health providers that would help your loved one recover from stroke include psychiatrists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, rehabilitation nurses, caregivers, and neurologists.

Helps to Reduce the Symptoms and Effects of the Condition

People who survive this medical condition often have a series of effects that if not properly handled can be life-limiting. One of the most common effects of this condition is limb weakness and paralysis. This effect can be quite severe in some cases and may reduce the patient’s ability to move independently.

Eating can also become a chore for these patients because their throat muscles may become weak, thereby resulting in difficulties swallowing. Some people may also experience a decline in their mental and communication capacity. Aside from the physical effects, this condition can take a toll on not just the patient’s mental health, but also the mental health of those around them.

With palliative treatment, all these symptoms and side effects can be significantly managed. The healthcare providers involved would also address the mental and even social needs of the patient. Everything done with this method is to ensure the general well-being of the stroke victim.

Research states that patients who get this care often have an improved quality of life. You can visit https://www.stroke.org/ to read more on this. Apart from the impact this option has on the patients, it also helps the family members navigate through this period in the lives of their loved ones.

Conclusion

Palliative treatment for patients recovering from stroke is a holistic approach that can significantly improve patient’s quality of life. As someone with a loved one who suffered from this condition, you can also learn proper caring methods for your loved ones throughout the phase. Remember, the road to recovery may be quite long but with proper treatment, you and your loved one will be able to manage the situation better.