Often feeling tired, fatigued, overwhelmed, worried, irritable, angry, or sad. Not getting enough sleep. Losing or gaining weight without trying. Not feeling interested in doing things you used to enjoy. Feeling achy or in pain much of the time. Taking drugs (illegal or prescription) or drinking to feel better.
You might consider making a list of your daily tasks, too. This by itself can be a good way to cope. You can also use it to delegate things to people who offer to help you. [3] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source For example, you might include items on the list such as “make dinner,” “take out the trash,” “do the dishes,” “give Sue a bath,” and “tidy up the bathroom. ” List as many of your daily or weekly to-do items as you can think of on the list so that people who want to help you can easily pick something to do to help you out. Try finding help online, as well. Online organizing tools allow caregivers to post requests for help with things like meds, meals, and doctor’s appointments. You can also search the national respite locator to find a respite service near you. [4] X Research source [5] X Research source
You may also learn about different coping techniques people have tried and gain insight for your own situation based on what has worked for other people. Ask your doctor for information on caregiver support groups in your area.
Ask your doctor for information on therapists in your area.
Eating healthy foods. Exercising regularly. Drinking plenty of water. Getting adequate rest. Making time for relaxation or meditation every day.
For example, if your patient says or does something out of character for him or herself, then try telling yourself something like, “That is the stroke talking. ”
Try writing a goodbye letter to the person to help you express your feelings about the loss. In the letter, you can talk about what you loved about the relationship and acknowledge that the relationship has changed as a result of the stroke. Allow yourself to cry, get angry, and feel the pain of your loss as well. Fighting against your feelings will not make them go away. Write about your feelings or talk to someone about them.
Using proper names for people, places, and things to prevent confusion. For example, instead of saying, “We’re going to see the doctor,” say, “We are going to see your neurologist, Dr. Jones, at 1 pm today. ” Providing frequent reminders. For example, you can provide reminders every hour leading up to something and then provide reminders closer to the event as well. Try saying things like, “We will be leaving in one hour,” “Your sister Margaret is coming over in 30 minutes,” and “Tomorrow is your granddaughter Ashley’s birthday. ” Answering questions. Your patient may ask lots of questions out of confusion or frustration, so try to be patient and answer them as best you can to help your patient feel more at ease.
Use your patient’s good days as opportunities to talk with him or her, reflect on happy memories, and build your bond. For example, you might ask questions about your patient’s childhood, remind him or her of a happy day in your relationship, or even just let the patient guide the conversation and be willing to listen to him or her talk for a while.
Avoid setting unrealistic goals for your patient. For example, you might want to work on language skills for two hours every day with your patient, but with all of your other responsibilities, this might not be realistic.
Eating healthy foods. Not smoking. Getting regular exercise. Getting adequate rest.
Look into things like putting a hand rail in next to the toilet, getting child locks for cupboards with dangerous chemicals inside of them, or getting a hospital bed with electronic controls for your patient to sleep in.
Visits from a home health aide or nurse to provide baths and other personal care. Meal delivery services, such as Meals on Wheels. Rides from a local transportation service to make getting to doctor’s appointments easier.
Abuse may include physical actions such as hitting, biting, or scratching. It may also include emotional abuse, such as calling you names, yelling at you, or making unreasonable demands of you. Remember that this behavior has nothing to do with you or anything you are doing. You cannot change it by changing your behavior. However, you can use some strategies to stop the abuse, get support, and get help for the patient.
Try saying something like, “I don’t deserve to treated like this and if you do not stop then I will leave the room. ” If the patient does not stop, then walk away. Go to another room or go outside for five minutes or more if necessary. Do not return until the patient has calmed down. If the patient starts yelling again or abusing you in another way, walk away again. Keep doing this to show the patient that you are serious and that you refuse to put up with his or her abuse.
Bringing in other family members may help because some stroke survivors will target their caregiver and be more reasonable around other people. Therefore, you might request that another family member helps you when you are providing care to the patient to serve as a buffer from the abuse. Another family member might also be willing to provide care for the patient part of the time to take some of the pressure off of you and give you some relief from the abuse.
Your patient may need to undergo therapy sessions and/or take medication to help control a mental health condition, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
