Public consultation Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management

Hi Diana, without me having to read the whole document, would you be able to tell me please if these Clinical Guidelines include suggested rehabilitation and suitable programs for those stroke survivors that do not have a physical disability, in other words, where the impairment is cognitive and invisible.  To me, this is an area that is continually overlooked, and current rehabilitation programs, if they exist where you live, focus only on physical impairment.

thank you

Karen

Good question Karen,

Here are some recommendations for cognitive and hidden:

Fatigue

Background

Fatigue is common after a stroke - around half of stroke survivors experience it. The cause and treatment for fatigue is not clear from the evidence, therefore more research is needed for this.

What is recommended?

Therapy should occur when stroke survivor is most alert. Stroke survivors should avoid alcohol and ‘drowsy drugs’, and be assessed for sleep-related breathing problems, and depression. 

Mood disturbance

Background

Mood is frequently affected by stroke. Around a third of stroke survivors have depression after the stroke.  Recommendations are similar to the last guideline.

What is recommended?

Medication may be helpful for people with depression and emotional distress due to the stroke. Medication should not be used in every stroke survivor to prevent depression. Other therapies may include problem solving, exercise and talking to a therapist.

Memory

Background

About a third of stroke survivors have worse memory after the stroke. However, evidence of effective treatments is lacking. The recommendations are essentially unchanged from the last guideline.

What is recommended?

Stroke survivors with memory problems should have a comprehensive assessment of their memory abilities. They can try strategies such as using notebooks, diaries, reminders, and alarms to help them remember.

Thank You Diana

I read the document and was quite amused , having experienced a stroke in January of this year affecting my right hand side of my body I would say there is a long way to go. Having 2 weeks in hospital, 6 weeks in a live in rehabilitation ward at a Hospital I have first hand experience. 6 weeks in rehabilitation unit and I never had a treatment plan and most days the staff were tied up in meetings and you werent allowed to go to the exercise room without them and my exit plan of having ongoing rehabilitation at my local hospital as an out patient never happened even after attending the hospital and telling them my story and asking "have i been forgotten" . I gave up trying in the end and did my own rehabilitation using the internet for information.I was grateful for this website as it answered questions and was a good resource of information. 

Hi Leanne,

We have recently published our Rehab Audit, and your experience is unfortunate all to common - which is why this site exists.

Do you know about our StrokeLine phone service? You can talk directly with a health professional about your self directed rehab approach - they can offer tips, info and further support. 

The number is 1800 787 653.

:)

Diana