Understanding Stroke Recovery

Recovery is the process of healing after a disease or major life-changing event. Stroke recovery happens as soon as the disease process is under control. The brain starts to slowly respond to the damage done to it and will alter or change its way of functioning to accommodate for the loss or death of parts. It is though this time that the patient’s outcomes are questioned.

Understand that stroke recovery is slow and unpredictable
The brain and how it repairs itself is still a mystery. This is what makes each stroke survivor's prognosis different. Doctors, nurses, and therapist can only guess on how a patient will respond according to the location and severity of stroke. It is the support of the survivor’s family, friends, and self that can make all the difference in recovery.

Recovery from stroke happens in a "two steps forward, one step back" process. There may be days of remarkable recovery for the stroke patient, and then there may be days of great loss. It is during this time that caregiver, friends, and family must find joy in the smallest of gains in your loved one.

The family's role in recovery
The family gives us a sense of belonging, completeness, and use in life. Family members suffering from stroke need more than ever to be connected to family. Stroke survivors may not be able to immediately resume their previous roles, but still need to be included. In our attempts not to leave them out, there are times when we as African-Americans swing too far the other way. We may give too much family control to stroke survivors, not thinking of their limitations. This is painfully true when the stroke survivor is the leader or elder of the family.

When grandparents or parents are involved, adult children may allow the stroke survivor to dictate their wants, versus what everyone knows is best for them. In many cases the thought of confrontation with a grandparent or parent is unwanted. The respect shown to African-American family elders is absolute. You do not argue or disagree with what they want, say, or act. This is how many people in the culture are raised. This type of upbringing can lead to issues of respect verses disrespect on issues of safety, where the adult child and parent or grandparent may not agree.