Attention Clinicians How to talk to stroke Survivors. A stroke survivor’s POV.
When you \{a clinician\} are communicating with Stroke Survivors, eject the term ‘patients’ from your lexicon.
They are people first and foremost.
People who have suffered a life-changing trauma. In the tick of a clock, their life and lifestyle has in many instances changed dramatically and often permanently
So, any contact/communication must be carefully crafted and delivered.
As they are often mature in years, they don’t want to be [nor they bloody well] addressed as if they are a small child or conversely a doddery old person bereft of their cognitive skills.
It is demeaning and insulting to the Stroke Survivor lying in the bed or sitting in a wheelchair when therapists address them like a child.
It happened to me after my stroke and the health care professional (?) who addressed me in this manner was taken aback by my aggressive verbal retort.
My response or request to this person was, in colourful/colloquial terms, to instantly leave my presence [P @ Off in other words\} and return only when they understood how to communicate with a mature, well-educated man.
A nano second before the stroke these people could function normally, drive a car, play sport, then suddenly all that is gone.
NEVER EVER adopt a condescending, patronising tone when talking to a stroke survivor. It does happen- I saw it!!
Never say that wretched phase “I understand” because unless you have had a stroke, you DON’T understand how hard it is for an adult to learn to walk again!
It was the toughest thing I have had to do! Treat and speak with respect.
Remember you are their GUIDE back to health so lead them. [ Don’t fall into the trap of doing their rehabilitation for them.].
At the end of the day, put yourself in their shoes. How would you feel if you were addressed and treated like a child?
Brian A Beh, Stroke Survivor
Lifelong Member of the Hopalong Cassidy Fan Club
Poet, Philosopher and Child of the Cosmos
Winner “Improving Life After Stroke’ Category
Stroke Foundation of Australia 2021 National Awards