In the United States, stroke is the third leading cause of death and leads the pack in the disorders and diseases which impair individuals rendering them totally disabled. For adult children with parents who have suffered a stroke, the emotional impact can be as significant as it is on the victim itself. For these adult children, understanding the cause and origin of a stroke, the emotional impact and the long term issues, will aide both parent and the adult child in connecting and working through the stroke aftermath.
A stroke is simply a cardiovascular event which involves a sudden onset of numbness and tingling generally on one side of the body. For many individuals, the symptoms are accompanied by loss of vision, dizziness and severe headaches. The cardiovascular event, usually a clot, occurs within the arteries leading to the brain and, as a result, the brain no longer receives adequate blood flow. The result can be minor from shorterm memory loss and impaired speech to a complete memory loss and inability to use the affected side of the body.
Returning home can be a difficult physical and emotional transition for many stroke patients. Coupled with fear of a repeat event, adult children of the stroke patient may often find they have become overbearing and want to control and protect the parent from further complications. One of the most disconcerting issues an adult child will face is the complex emotional turmoil of the parent and the burning desire to find a method for relieving this anxiety and stress for them. Because the stroke patient has suffered a significant and varying degree of impairment, the range of emotions may fluctuate throughout the day but, most often, involve depression and sadness. This, in turn, may lead to stress and anxiety in the adult child who is caring for the parent who has suffered a stroke.
When caring for a parent who has suffered a stroke, the primary key is to understand how your parent’s stroke has impaired a particular area of the brain. This area may control a variety of bodily functions which may not be recognized immediately following the stroke event. Most commonly, adult children with parents who have suffered a stroke, will find the extended range of health complications to be quite frustrating. Most often this is attributed to the delayed response a stroke may have in the parent’s communication and ability to control and perform activities of daily living.
As an adult child caring for a parent, in any health condition, one of the primary support mechanisms is through support groups with individuals in like situations. For adult children caring for a parent who suffers from the aftermath of a stroke, consider contacting the local American Stroke Foundation for information regarding local support chapters. The American Stroke Foundation can be reached at www.americanstroke.org.
