By: Erica Kaplan, OTS & Kristi Sunde, OTS.

"Hip Hop Stroke":48-1:50 (or 2:50)

Definition of Stroke

A sudden onset of neurological impairment caused by rupture or blockage of a blood vessel to the brainAlso known as Cerebral Vascular Accident or CVA Commonly known as a "brain attack"

Stroke Facts• Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States.

• Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States.

• 50% of individuals experience some level of disability after 6 months

• 5-14% of people have a second stroke within 1 year of their first

• Within 5 years, 24% of females, and 42% of males have a second stroke

• Stroke prevalence is 2.5 higher in African Americans than in Americans of European descent

• African Americans suffer greater physical impairment from stroke

• 10% of stroke survivors recover almost completely• 25% recover with minor impairments• Most recovery from stroke takes place in the first 3 months.• Minor additional improvement occurs after the 6 months but

improvement can continue long-term.

Types of Stroke

• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) "warning stroke"

• Ischemic Stroke

• Hemorrhagic Stroke

TIA • A focal neurological deficit that occurs

secondary to impaired blood flow to brain• Symptoms last less than 24 hours• Increased chance of having an actual stroke "Warning Stroke"

Ischemic Stroke (clots)

• A stroke caused by decreased blood flow • Fatty plaques or clots cut off or obstructs

blood flow to brain cells• Accounts for 87% of strokes

Hemorrhagic Stroke (bleeds)

• A weakened vessel ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain.

• Blood accumulates and compresses the surrounding brain tissue.

• Hemorrhagic strokes are: intracerebral (within the brain) or - subarachnoid (between brain and thin tissue covering brain)

• Accounts for 13% of stroke cases

Alterable Stroke Risk Factors• High blood pressure

• Cigarette smoking

• Diabetes mellitus

• Carotid or other artery disease

• Peripheral artery disease

• Atrial fibrillation

• Heart disease

• Sickle cell disease

• High Cholesterol

• Poor Diet

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Obesity

Unalterable Stroke Risk Factors

• Age- The older you get the more likely you are to have a stroke

• Heredity- genetic component• Race- African Americans have higher risks of high

blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.• Gender- Stroke is more common in men than women,

but women are more likely to die from stroke• Prior Stroke, TIA or Heart Attack increases likelihood

Other Less Known Risk Factors

• Geographic location

• Socioeconomic factors

• Alcohol abuse

• Drug abuse

Time is Brain!

• Acute treatment needs to be initiated within 3-4 hours of symptom onset- ideally within 60 minutes of arrival at the hospital!

• tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) clot-dissolving agents can significantly reduce the effects of stroke and reduce permanent disability.

• Only 3 to 5% reach the hospital in time for this long-term disability prevention measure

• Note time any symptoms first appear

How do you know if someone is having a stroke?

5 Cardinal Signs of Stroke

• Sudden severe headache without cause

• One-sided weakness

• One sided numbness

• Speech disturbance/confusion

• Visual loss

Only 15% of people can name all 5 symptoms

Additional unique stroke symptoms may occur in women

• Sudden face and limb pain• Sudden hiccups• Sudden nausea• Sudden general weakness• Sudden chest pain• Sudden shortness of breath• Sudden palpitations

Physical challenges after stroke Aphasia

What is aphasia??

Broca's Aphasia

Vs.

Wernicke's Aphasia

Vs.

Global Aphasia

Wernicke's Aphasia

YouTube: Wernicke's Aphasia Video

Broca's Aphasia

0 -> 1:35 From University of Wisconsin/YouTube

How is aphasia treated?

1. Spontaneous recovery2. Partial spontaneous recovery3. Aphasia therapy

'Traditional' Therapy, Group TherapyRegional Support GroupsFamily Involvement

Family members are encouraged to: • Simplify language by using short, uncomplicated sentences.

• Repeat the content words or write down key words to clarify meaning as needed.

• Maintain a natural conversational manner appropriate for an adult.

• Minimize distractions, such as a loud radio or TV, whenever possible.

• Include the person with aphasia in conversations.

• Ask for and value the opinion of the person with aphasia, especially regarding family matters.

• Encourage any type of communication, whether it is speech, gesture, pointing, or drawing.

• Avoid correcting the person's speech.

• Allow the person plenty of time to talk.

• Help the person become involved outside the home. Seek out support groups such as stroke clubs.From NIH:NIDCD

Cognitive challenges after stroke Con't:

- Stroke in left brain: short-term memory problems- Stroke in right brain: trouble with sequencing, tend to misinterpret or confuse information. - Additional cognitive challenges

Physical challenges after stroke

- Hemiparesis- Hemiplegia- Hemianopia- Neglect- Anosognosia- Asomatognosia

Right Hononymous Hemianopia:

Seating systems after stroke

Correct seating system allows mobility, independence and safety during daily activities• allows participation• minimizes deformity• prevents secondary complications• wheelchair fitting and training necessary to

reach full functional potential• Wheelchair cushions

Pressure Relief

• Decubitus Ulcer (otherwise known as pressure sore) can develop when a person does not shift body weight due to impaired sensation, motor control or judgment

• Instruct on pressure relief every 1/2 hour• Pressure reducing cushions- gel or air

Coming Home

What can informal caregivers and professional caregivers do?

• Education- patient and family -written handouts• Psychosocial support- patient and family• Address modifiable risk factors• Recognize emerging symptoms • Medication & treatment compliance education

After a stroke, one may or may not need help with:

• Personal care, including bathing, dressing, and taking care of other aspects of basic hygiene

• Home-safety assessment and modifications

• Personal emergency response system

• Transportation and/or escort to appointments

• Medication management- to prevent interactions or side effects and ensure that drugs

• Money management

• Help with insurance entitlements, SS or SSDI benefits

• Advisement on legal issues such as power of attorney or advance directives

After a stroke, one may or may not need help with:

• Advisement on legal issues IE power of attorney or advance directives

• Management of medical appointment

• Home safety assessment

• Evaluate for need of assistive devices such as walkers, canes, reachers, dressing aides, grab bars and more

• Companionship or respite care, which may allow loved ones a needed break

• Psychosocial adjustment to disability

Stroke survivors concerns post-stroke

• Functional dependence• Performance of activities of daily life: grooming, self-care,

hygiene, driving, cooking, shopping, housework, sexual expression, etc

• Memory• Employment• Depression• General health• Future strokes• Money• Where they will be placed

Tips for choosing clothing to promote independence

Encourage dressing every day, instead of wearing pajamas as this may help promote a positive mood!

Choosing Clothing:- Should fasten down the front- Avoid tight fit- Easier to pull pants up/down over nylon underwear- Smooth fabrics- Elastic/velcro fasteners, snaps, elastic wasitbands, rings

attached to zipper pulls

Tips for dressing and undressing- Lay out clothes in the order they will go on- Easier to don clothes in sitting rather than laying down- Always dress affected side first when dressing and when

undressing, take clothes off of affected side last- Putting on blouses, jackets, cardigans: lay clothing on flat surface,

collar away from you, back top facing the ceiling. Bend over, put arms into armholes and lift over your head.

- Buttons: Bottom to top so that you can see the holes more easily. Can rest weak arms on a table or chair armrests while doing this.

- Consider bra that hooks in front- Dress in front of mirror and allow plenty of time- Equipment: reacher, buttonhook, or dressing stick for

dressing/reaching- Ask for help if needed!

Bathing TipsGrooming requires precise movements while

holding small objects. Here are strategies:- "wash and wear" hairstyle- Weekly appointment at beauty salon- Equipment/strategies: lighted and angled mirror,

electric shaver to decrease nicks, "picks" for flossing, try different toothpaste caps

- wash mitts, mounted nail clippers, mounted dental floss designed for use with one hand

Grooming and Hygiene Tips

• Electric toothbrush• Press down pump toothpaste dispensers• Toiletries within easy reach• Liquid soap in a press down pump• Shampoo in a spray bottle for better distribution• Deodorant spray• Easy load toilet paper holder or "wet wipes"moist towelettes• Bidet • Aerosol health and beauty products

Grooming and Hygiene tipsApplying Toothpaste:- Use strong hand to squeeze paste onto your tongue, and then

pick up toothbrush- Hold brush btwn teeth, apply toothpaste with strong hand- Toothbrush btwn thumb and forefinger of weak hand, add

toothpaste with strong handShaving:- Use an electric shaver if possible. Men: puff out cheeks when

you shave. Use disposable razor- Shaving cream: Put cream onto back of weak hand or onto

edge of sink. Apply using strong hand- Women should use an electric shaver for legs. Might better

reach lower legs if you lie on a bed while doing this

Shopping• Make a list of necessary items • Plan weekly expenses to decrease ATM/bank visits• Categorize items on shopping list according to aisle to

decrease walking throughout store• Use a pushcart• Money/cards in an easily accessible pocket/purse• Online, phone, TV or mail catalog shopping if possible• Shop when retail and grocery stores are not busy• Consider delegating shopping if necessary

ResourcesF.A.S.T. Mobile phone app

http://strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/WarningSigns/Stroke-Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms_UCM_308528_SubHomePage.jsp

National Stroke Association

www.stroke.org

American Stroke Association

www.strokeassociation.org

National Stroke Association Hotline

Toll-free hotline: 1-888-STROKES or 1-800-787-6537

National Aphasia Association

1-800-922-4622 www.aphasia.org

Stroke support groups

http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=support_groups

http://rusk.med.nyu.edu/support-groups-1

Local opportunitiesto participate in clinical trials

Columbia University summer stroke camp 2 week intensive therapy:

-Contact Glen Gillen or Dawn Nielsen 212-305-5267

Columbia Stroke Research Registry:

-Weill Cornell Rehab. Medicine Department, Stroke Research office 212-746-1356

Rusk Institute stroke research:

-http://rusk.med.nyu.edu/clinical-trials

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation

-www.kessler-rehab.com

Top Rated U.S. Stroke Rehab centers in tri-state areaKessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, N.J.

Rusk Institute, NYU Medical Center, New York

Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York

New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York