Post-Stroke Care at Home: When IV Drip, Catheterisation & Wound Care Are Needed

According to an article published in PubMed Central, stroke is a leading cause of long‐term disability globally. Over 50 million stroke survivors experience a wide range of physical, cognitive, emotional and/or psychological problems. Life may seem very uncertain after a stroke; however, there is still a ray of hope that shines bright. With the right guidance and medical care, one can overcome a stroke over a period of time.

In this blog, we guide you through the various stages of recovery, such as post stroke IV drip care at home, physiotherapy, tube feeding, catheterisation and wound care. It not only plays a major role in patient recovery at home, but it also helps maintain a better quality of life.

Post Stroke Care at Home

Stroke has a broader impact on the brain; it has far-reaching implications for an individual's physical, cognitive, and emotional limitations. However, each situation has a solution: home healthcare services that enable healing at home.

Motor Skills and Coordination- Regaining motor skills and coordination after a stroke may seem tough, it is possible to regain skills with the right in-home stroke care services and guidance from a trained nurse at home. Depending on the age, severity and stage of stroke recovery, one can call an expert for physiotherapy at home. They may guide individuals towards a range of motion exercise, gentle hand and neck rotations, palm stretch. In the later stages of healing, brisk walking and light exercises (assisted and unassisted) can bring long-term benefits.

Muscle Control and Strength- Stroke can cause hemiparesis in individuals, it is generally known as muscle weakness or paralysis. It can lead to a reduction in muscle torque (ability to move limbs and joints), muscle stiffness and involuntary muscle contraction. This can be managed with the right physiotherapy, electrical stimulation, occupational therapies or neuroplasticity-based therapies such as constraint-induced movement therapy. 

Pain & Fatigue- Brain changes and stroke can often lead to episodes of pain and extreme fatigue. Inability to move and a prolonged period of being in a particular position add up to it. While over-the-counter medications, physical therapies and heat/cold therapies help manage the pain, the fatigue can be well managed through proper nutrition and hydration. In case of a severe stroke, where the patient is unable to nourish or hydrate themselves, an IV drip at home for stroke patients comes as a saviour.

Dysphagia – It is a medical term for the situation where the patient is unable to swallow food due to nerve damage. Using a feeding tube can be helpful in some cases, depending on the severity of the stroke and the patient’s overall health condition. A patient may need a feeding tube if the patient is unable to meet the nutritional needs or doesn’t have an ideal body weight for a smooth recovery. It can also be used for nutritional support when the patient has reduced consciousness through feeding sessions.

Wounds- Stroke patients are at high risk of wounds due to loss of balance and coordination, and they tend to fall more often and injure themselves. Weak tissue and muscle coordination increase the chances. This calls for proper wound care for stroke patients, which helps manage wounds better with the right medical care. Paralysis or weakness can damage the tissue over and over again, leading to bed sores.

Urinary Issues- Stroke can alter the muscle coordination associated with regular bladder functions. Problems in the nerve pathways can often lead to urinary incontinence. With stroke, a person has to time their schedule through specific times of the day, with or without the need to empty the bladder. While adults have better control of their bladder, elderly patients suffering from a stroke may require a urinary catheterisation service at home for better.

Hygiene & Care- After a stroke, a person is unable to do the basic daily activities that help maintain hygiene. Episodes of depression worsen hygiene and care plan, leading to mood swings and extreme tiredness. A care assistant for stroke patient hygiene and care can help with basic cleaning and sponging the patient so that they feel fresh and rejuvenated, and have a motivation to get better health.

Conclusion

While a person weighs the burden of stroke and its effect on the mind and body, the family members and caregivers need to make the recovery journey smooth and easy for them. It is through simple acts and home healthcare services, such as injection service at home, home physiotherapy sessions, wound care, urinary catheterisation or IV drip at home in Noida, East Delhi and Ghaziabad, helps patient recover at a better pace in the comfort of their own home all wrapped in love.