The Path To Recovery
There is no one way to ensure recovery, but it is recognised that other survivors are a good source of sensible advice.
The best medicine to help you get going after your stroke is the hope of recovery. You will notice improvements in what you can do for months, even years, after your stroke.
Use this time to take stock of your life. How quickly you feel yourself improving will depend on many things – including how severe the stroke was and how old you are.
At first you may be aware of any physical problems, such as onesided paralysis (hemiplegia), speech and communication difficulties, or reduced visual field (how much you can see).
You may notice other changes such as emotion, difficulties with concentration and memory, tiredness, talking, laughing or crying for no reason.
Therapists and health workers can work with you to improve recovery and reduce the risk of stroke. You can ask each person to write what they’ll be doing, and what you can expect. Be honest about how much you are following advice.
Remember – you are the person who must put in the effort. Therapists can support you, but the motivation must be yours.
Do's and Don'ts
Do
- take stock of your life
Take a fresh look - do you need to do all the things that you used to think were important?
- set yourself manageable targets
Set daily targets for how much you do, what you do, and how quickly you expect to improve. Be flexible – try new ways of doing things.
- try to do less work (at home or paid work)
Pushing yourself will slow down recovery. Take it easy, and make time to do things you enjoy.
- look after your health
Eat well, exercise carefully, drink moderately, – quit smoking! Remember blood pressure checks and medication.
- keep up your social contacts
Keep in touch with friends – even if it seems like hard work it will be worth it. Accept all genuine offers of help.
- find time to relax completely every day
Find something you enjoy. It could be listening to music, reading the paper, having a massage, or stroking the cat!
Don't
- compare now with before
Comparing things now with how they used to be will not make you any better. Try to focus on how you are now, and what you can do.
- bottle up your feelings
A good cry can help. Be open and tell your family or close friends about how you feel, and what help you need.
- force yourself to go on
Tiredness is common as it can be your brain’s way of recovering. Talk to your therapist for advice on planning your time. Doing too much too early can set you back.
- take things out on other people
You may be angry and frustrated. Try not to turn on other people but use anger to help you. It can be the driving force to help you keep on working to recover, and to try to do things differently. Anger will remind you that you still have plenty of fight and can use this to rebuild your life.
Think you’re the only one?
Healthtalkonline lets you share in other people's experiences of health and illness. You can watch or listen to videos of the interviews, read about people's experiences and find reliable information about conditions, treatment choices and support.
Bereavement
Grieving affects everyone differently. Grieve in your own time and in your own way.
Your Health
At a time when you are low and vulnerable, it is important to look after your own health. This may seem selfish and unnecessary but is nevertheless important. Many people find that they suffer from a host of minor illnesses during a time of grieving and sometimes the symptoms may remind them of the illness suffered by the person they have lost. This can cause unnecessary worry and you should seek help and advice if this happens to you.
Outside Help
Many people have sufficient support from family and friends. Some people, however, feel the need for someone else to talk to or may prefer to talk to someone outside their social circle and their local healthcare professionals.
Many local churches now also have bereavement services and groups. It may be worth contacting your local church to see if they have one of these or know of any locally. Useful local bereavement support / information contacts:
Bereavement Services Co-ordinator
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Hyndelle Lodge
King Street
Hindley |
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Tel: 01942 828 767 |
Cruise Bereavement Care (Manchester Branch)
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Tel: 0161 236 8103 |
Citizens Advice Bureau
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Wigan and Leigh: Tel- 0844 826 9713 |
Samaritans
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73 Dicconson Street
Wigan |
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Tel: 01942 492 222 (24 hours) |
Benefits Agency - Wigan Office
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Tel: 01942 758 043 |
Exercise
Regular exercise can halve your risk of having a stroke. The benefits of exercise are:
It lowers blood pressure
It helps you to control your weight
It will help to keep your system balanced (especially blood cholesterol and insulin)
However, take things gently and carefully. If you are seeing a physiotherapist or have seen one then follow their advice. Try to do about 20 minutes of moderate exercise every day splitting this up into shorter bouts if you prefer. Normally, this should be about the same level of effort as going for a brisk walk.
Try to build “exercise-activities” into your everyday routine. Whether you are able to move easily, with difficulty or even if you are in a wheelchair most of the time there is exercise you can do that will be beneficial.
If you have not done formal exercise for a while, check with your doctor.
Inclusive Fitness Initiative Facilities
Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust now offer a wide range of fitness initiatives specially suited for people of all ages with disabilities at, Robin Park Arena, Hindley Pool and the indoor sports centre at the new Sports Village.
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Howe Bridge Sports Centre |
- 01942 886 802 (Community Office) |
| Robin Park Sports Centre |
- 01942 828 572 (Community Office) |
| Ashton Leisure Centre |
- 01942 732 642 (Referral Office) |
| Hindley Leisure Centre |
- 01942 516 986 (Referral Office) |
| Leigh Indoor Sports Centre |
- 01942 487 809 (Referral Office) |
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Food and Physical Activity Team - Howe Bridge |
- 01942 895 634 |
| Food and Physical Activity Team - Robin Park |
- 01942 828 518 |
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Leigh Indoor Sports Centre |
- 01942 487800 |
| Howe Bridge Sports Centre |
- 01942 870 403 |
| Robin Park Sports Centre |
- 01942 828 550 |
| Ashton Leisure Centre |
- 01942 720 826 |
| Hindley Leisure Centre |
- 01942 253 142 |
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Hindley Pool |
- 01942 255 401 |
| Tyldesley Pool |
- 01942 882 722 |
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For all general enquiries please call: 01942 488 481 |
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Email: activeliving@wlct.org |
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Website: www.wlct.org/activeliving |
Diet
A healthy, enjoyable diet can reduce some of the causes of stroke and help you to recover. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables (aim for 5 portions per day) and try to include oily fish, such as trout, salmon, sardines and mackerel in meals 3 times a week.
Replace fatty foods with low fat alternatives. This will help to stop your arteries narrowing, lower cholesterol and also keep your weight at a healthy level. Try to keep your weight in the middle range – neither too high nor too low.
Keep your alcohol intake within the recommended weekly limits (or as advised by your doctor).
Eating less salt and salty foods will help you to control your blood pressure. Watch out for hidden salt in processed food, even in bread and biscuits.
Enjoy
- Foods flavoured with herbs, spices & lemons
- Fresh fish, and fish tinned in water
- Eggs (3–4 a week). Lean meat (chicken, turkey)
- Small amounts of monounsaturated oils and spreads such as olive oil and rapeseed oil
- Cottage cheese
- Unsalted crackers & nuts, fresh & dried fruit
- Home-made soups and stocks
- Potatoes, pasta & rice(try brown), high fibre bread(try low salt bread)
- Whole-grain breakfast cereals, such as porridge and unsweetened muesli
- Fresh/frozen vegetables, beans & lentils
Reduce
- Salt – just use a little in cooking but not at table
- Fish tinned in brine and smoked fish
- Canned & salted meat, bacon, sausages
- Butter, oils, full fat spreads, cream
- Hard cheese (maximum of 4 oz/100g per week)
- Crisps & dips, salted nuts, sweet biscuits
- Packet soups, stock cubes & sauces
- Chips, Pastries and cakes
- Sweetened or high salt cereals such as cornflakes etc
- Ready meals – try making meals to freeze instead
Healthy Recipe Cards
Smoking
Smokers are twice as likely to have a stroke as non-smokers. Stopping, or cutting down, will reduce risk. Here are a few tips:
- Ask family and friends to support you
- Stay away from places where you will be offered cigarettes
- Remember the benefits to you and your family (health, money, and no brown ceilings to paint!)
- Join a stop smoking group
- Use self-help books – they can help you plan and keep you motivated
- Ask your doctor about nicotine replacement on prescription, such as chewing gums, sprays and patches
- All GPs have a specialist nurse who will provide support and treatment as part of a “Help 2 Quit” programme
NHS Stop Smoking Service – Wigan
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Tel: FREE on 0500 STOP NOW - (0500 7867 669)
Or
Tel: 01942 732 470 |
Alcohol
There are three good reasons for giving up or cutting down.
1. Health – Alcohol is high in calories and can lead to obesity and high blood pressure – common causes of stroke.
2. Daily living – Stroke can cause depression, forgetfulness, shakiness and confusion. Alcohol can make these worse.
3. Medication – Alcohol can be dangerous when you are taking medicine. Check with your doctor.
And the good news – a small amount may be good for you, but ask your doctor’s advice and remember:
- Drink slowly
- Don’t drink to wind down or deal with problems
- Drink with food, not on an empty stomach
- Have alcohol free days – at least two a week
- Keep within sensible drinking limits
- Women - not more than 2 – 3 units a day
- Men - not more than 3 – 4 units a day
- Lower for older people and some medical conditions
1 unit of alcohol =
Half pint of lager, cider or beer OR 1 single of spirits OR 1 glass of wine.
Holidays
Everyone needs a break, even Stroke Survivors and their Carers!
Tourism for All Provides information to the public, especially to older people and those with disabilities, on where their specific access needs can be met so that they can fully participate in travel and leisure.
Rough Guide to Accessible Britain
Go to for details of this new pocket-sized guide that lists 100 places tested and recommended by their researchers. Whilst stocks last this guide is available for £6.99 (inc P&P), Blue Badge holders can get it for just £1.99 P&P.
Vitalise
Vitalise is a national charity providing short breaks (respite care) and other services for disabled people, visually impaired people, and carers.
New EU Regulations for disabled air traveller’s
A new European regulation has come into force promising a better deal for disabled people flying within Europe.
It makes airports responsible for helping such passengers to pass through their terminals – from arrival to check-in and boarding and, on the return flight, from disembarking to immigration and collecting baggage.
Important points under the new law:
- It doesn’t cover just disabled people but anyone with reduced mobility - e.g. Someone with a broken leg or an elderly person who finds walking difficult
- Tour operators and travel agents are expected to pass on details about your needs to airlines, which in turn should contact the airports you’ll be using
- Don’t wait until the last minute to request assistance – you are supposed to give at least 48 hours notice
- Passengers needing assistance to get through airports must not be charged
- Staff dealing with disabled passengers must be suitably trained
- Most of the EU regulation covers on the ground assistance but it does spell out for the first time that disabled people have a right to assistance on board aircraft – (e.g. in getting to lavatories) and say airlines should make ‘all reasonable efforts’ to arrange seating to meet a disabled traveller’s needs – which may prove challenging for low cost airlines that do not preallocate seats
For more details go to:
If you feel you have not been looked after properly then complain to EHRC on:
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Tel: 0845 604 6610 |
Clothing
Special Shoes
Stroke survivor must be referred by their own GP to the Podiatrist at their local hospital. Shoes are made to measure at the hospital. Choices of styles etc are made from a catalogue.
Check out the Disabled Living Foundation website for fact sheets on choosing clothing and footwear and a vast range of other goods and equipment.
BT Directory Enquiries
Free service for people with a visual impairment
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Tel: 195 for more details |
Having Problems Remembering?
Try one of these tips to help you to remember things* -
Calendar
These are useful to put up at home in a place where you regularly look. They can be used as a quick reminder of appointments, tasks and events such as birthdays.
Communication Book
A communication book can help you if you are struggling with your speech or find it difficult to make choices. It is split into categories such as food, drinks, and activities. It can be used by you to tell someone else what you would like or used by someone else to offer you a choice.
Diary
Diaries can be useful in two ways and it may be useful to have a diary for each use. Firstly, they are useful for planning ahead and reminding yourself of special events such as birthdays and to remind you of appointments. This diary is used to look forward to events. Secondly, a diary can be used to write a comprehensive log of the day to remind yourself what you have been doing that day possibly with the help of a family member. You can then look back to see what you have been up to on particular days.
Dictaphone
A Dictaphone can be used for you to report back a summary of something you may have just read or watched. Then before you watch the next episode or read the next chapter you can remind yourself of the previous storyline. They can also be used to make notes of things you need to remember throughout the day and you can then set aside time to listen to the tape and make a response to your comments.
Personal Organiser
Some people find these useful as a way of keeping information in one place. It can be used to log appointments, put in reminders and program an alarm to sound to remind you to do something. They also usually have a diary function so you can keep track of the date as well.
Photo Books
This is an album of key events and people in your life. It is helpful to label the photos with names and dates to help you to remember. This can be helpful in talking to other people. You can use the album to remind you of key things when talking to someone you haven’t met before. It can also be used to remember which people are working with you to remind you who they are and what their job is.
Notepad
It is useful to carry a notepad around with you so that you can write things down as you remember them. This can also be useful to write down important contact information so that wherever you are you can contact someone in an emergency.
Weekly Plan
This is a plan that can be used to fill in what you are doing. This can help you to remember and give you a routine. It usually has a column for each day and splits the day up into morning, afternoon and evening. It can then be used to plan activities, remind you to take tablets, eat your meals or even to lock your door at night.
Whiteboard
This can be used in a similar way to the weekly plan. You can write up a plan for the week on the whiteboard including reminders for tablets etc. and tick it off when you’ve taken them. It can also be used as a memo board to remind you to do things such as return a phone call. You could keep it near the phone to write on phone messages.
(* This section is courtesy of the SET – Shropshire Enablement Team) |