Just what the role of sleep is for the human body is not completely known right now, but current research indicates that it has to do with the brain healing and cleaning itself. When we sleep, metabolic waste exits the brain, leaving cells more energized and less “dirty,” for lack of a better word. Just as our muscular system creates waste which is flushed out, the neurons in our brain create waste. But because of the vastly different way that the brain is structured, the cleaning process is quite different. When we sleep, the brain is better able to regulate itself. It’s not quite as simple as this, as any brain specialist will be quick to point out, but that’s one of the basic reasons why sleep is so vital. And when it comes to recovering from a stroke, it’s beginning to look like sleep is even more important.
There is a huge problem that arises here, though. Researchers are finding that stroke victims are not getting enough sleep to let the brain do its thing properly, and current rehabilitation methods are completely ignoring this. Again, sleep is a vital part of the brain’s ability to heal itself, and although stroke recovery methods focus on daytime activities like physical therapy, speech therapy, and counseling, the necessity of sleep is not being addressed sufficiently. Additionally, patients report that both going to sleep and staying asleep are very difficult post-stroke. This study highlights a big need when it comes to helping people recover from a stroke.
Having a loved one that has had a stroke is never easy, and you obviously want the best care that you can get for them. There are things that you can do that can help, these include in-home care at the top of the list. In-home care is not right for everyone, but if your loved one is still highly functioning after their stroke, but still needs help getting through the day, then this is almost always going to be the most beneficial type of care for them. Recovery is often better when they are in a place that they are comfortable and familiar with, and staying in the home is an easy way to accomplish this. It’s cheaper than a nursing home or a rehab center, and it keeps them close to the people they love: you and your family. It’s also much easier to sleep for most people when they are in a place that they are comfortable in, and in-home care helps to maintain this.
Some stroke survivors need more intensive care and rehab, and in-home care is not right for these people. If you do have any questions about the appropriate type of care, consult your loved one’s physician before you commit to anything. If you decide that in-home caregiving is the best route, be sure that the caregiver will be able to provide transportation services in case you are not able to get them to each of their medical or therapy appointments. Many services provide this, but not all, so it’s best to check this ahead of time so there are no issues or confusion when it becomes a need.
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