#Lifestyle

#Motivation

#Neofect Solutions

#Rehabilitation

I could now shake hands with confidence, and pick up things using my right hand which I thought I would never will. I feel like RAPAEL was a God sent to me.

The Road to Stroke Recovery, Michael Eustace

The Road to Stroke Recovery of a Vietnam Veteran
“At this point I'm actually able to straighten up my fingers, and be able to
close my fits. I could make my fingers dance, I could also take my wrist and
flexed from a down motion to almost put my thumb to the air to make a thumb up
motion, I could now shake hands with confidence, and pick up things using my
right hand which I thought I would never will.

I feel like Neofect was a God sent to me, because no matter how much therapy I
did, I could not get my hand to response to my commands. Neofect put me over the
top and gave me hope that my hand eventually will go back to normal.”

*A Review of Michael Eustace


My name is Michael Eustace I am a Vietnam Veteran. Was in there from ’72 through
’75, and I was there with the pullout last days of Vietnam.

On December 6, 2015 Michael suffered the first of three strokes.


I went to move and I couldn’t. I moved forward and slid right onto the floor.
Started to get a little bit better and then I had another stroke. And then had
problems with the heart and wound up having 3 strokes and 1 heart attack. I
couldn’t move my arm, I couldn’t move my hand, I couldn’t do anything.

At that point I started to try to get better. They kept saying, “What is your
goal?” I said my goal is to get up and walk again. My goal is to get up and use
my hand.



Michael visited the Long Beach VA Hospital near his home in California.

They told us they had this new product to try out. And they said it was the
Neofect. They put this little glove on my hand. The Neofect solution provides
home exercises program for stroke patients. And it was so much fun.




At times it was hard, but you work against yourself. For me it was like it
opened up a world of things that I could do with my hand, and get more mobility,
because it motivates you to do more. You don’t appreciate things that you do
before that you can’t do now. If it wasn’t for Neofect, I’d probably never bend
my hand the way it is now.

Michael uses the Neofect Home daily. He was eventually reimbursed by the VA.

The VA wants to help us. They reimbursed us for the use of the Smart Glove. "I
really didn’t expect them to do something like that, but they did it anyway."




*A Review of Anna (Michael’s wife)
So from Michael being contracted in the hand in a lot of pain. The hand was like
double or triple size. We got the glove, the Neofect at home. He does (hand
rehabilitation) therapy twice a day, everyday.
In a week his hand (swelling) was down. Couple weeks he almost has no
inflammation.



Now, from doing nothing, he’s doing laundry. He’s folding his laundry. He’s
making his bed, He’s able to make his breakfast. And he’s able to feel like he
is somebody at home.
"We’re back to normal, we’re happy, and he’s doing better."


To learn more about Neofect, visit the company’s website
[https://www.neofect.com/us/for-home] or call to our office((888) 623-8984
[tel:+18886238984]).


*Neofect Home Inquiry:
-www.neofect.com [https://www.neofect.com/us]
-Phone: (888) 623-8984 [tel:+18886238984]

Stroke Recovery

You can’t fully care for someone else if you don’t first put enough energy into caring for yourself. Learn our tips for caregivers to stay at their best while serving in an important and challenging role.

How to Support Yourself as a Caregiver


Caregivers and support systems for stroke survivors come in many forms. You may
be an immediate family member, second cousin, best friend, acquaintance, fellow
church member, neighbor, or even a hired aide. No matter where or how your
relationship started, you are here now and you deserve support, tips, and
gratitude!

The best ways to support yourself as a caregiver:
 * Engage in self-care
 * Avoid caregiver burnout: share responsibility, take breaks, use respite
   services
 * Prioritize your own safety as well as safety of the care recipient
 * Use therapist tips to streamline caregiving
 * Collaborate with the care recipient to prioritize your assistance
   

Practice Self-Care
First and foremost, put on your own oxygen mask first. Try to remember that you
can’t truly take care of or support someone else if you don’t first put enough
energy into caring for yourself. Self-care means something different to each
person, but try to consider things like getting enough rest, taking breaks, and
even finding caregiver support groups [https://www.caregiver.org/support-groups] 
so that you can chat and vent about the similar challenges you all encounter.
The more you can plan ahead to protect yourself emotionally and physically, the
better you are in the long run.

Avoid Caregiver Burnout
In the case of a person requiring round the clock supervision or many hours of
care, make sure to check into caregiver respite programs
[https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/caregivers/nfcsp_respite_care] that allow
you the peace of mind to take breaks while the stroke survivor is being safely
cared for. If the patient has several people on the support team, consider
taking turns with these other folks rather than working simultaneously, so that
you have time off. Caregiver burnout is a real thing, even if the support you
are providing is mostly supervisory or emotional - try to find ways to avoid
burnout if you can.

Prioritize Safety
A stroke can affect balance, muscle strength, protective reactions, problem
solving, judgment, and memory, reducing safety of daily task performance.
Caregivers and members of the support system are often called upon to help
manage safety concerns for care recipients by supervising transfers and other
mobility tasks, providing steadying balance or physical assistance, or
overseeing activities. Using good body mechanics, good preparation and setup
for
lifting or transfers
[http://eldercareanswers.com/safe-lifting-techniques-family-caregivers/], and
planning ahead for how to approach a physical task not only helps the care
recipient, but protects the caregiver from injuries as well

Use Therapist Tips
If you participated in caregiver training before discharge from the hospital,
try to incorporate ideas the therapy team came up with to safely help the stroke
survivor. Examples include: using assistive devices
[https://www.caregiver.org/assistive-technology], bending down and getting close
to the person before a transfer, counting 1-2-3 to initiate moving, modifying
foods to be a safe consistency for swallowing, or removing distractions from the
environment before a task is performed. It is encouraged to ask questions and
take notes during training so that you can more easily transfer these concepts
to use at home. Most therapists welcome use of notebooks, or even pictures, to
help you remember all of the information before discharge!

Collaborate on Caregiving Goals
It may be beneficial to sit down with the stroke survivor in the beginning, and
collaborate on a list of things that person truly needs help or support with.
That way, you can prioritize what you need to dedicate your energy toward and
what you can let go of, and the patient can maintain a sense of self-efficacy.
If the person needs you to double-check that they organized a pill box correctly
and paid bills on time, but does not need help getting socks and shoes on, don’t
worry about those socks and shoes. It is very important for the patient to
maintain autonomy and independence (safely), which can be taken as a positive
for the caregiver who does not have to “do it all.”

Ultimately, there may be many ups and downs in your journey as a caregiver. Give
yourself as much grace as you can, and know that you are learning new skills
alongside the stroke survivor. Being a part of the stroke recovery journey as a
support person is vital - you are important, even on days when you may not feel
it. If you are doing the best you can to support the person’s own goals for
recovery while also protecting your own needs, you are doing something right.

Caregiver Tips

Caregiver Support: Support for the Caregiver

Having social support results in better physical and mental outcomes. Read our tips on how to build up your support system, whether in person or virtually.

Finding Your Support System After Stroke

Why is it important to have a post-stroke support system?
You survived a stroke. You have now experienced being admitted to the hospital,
where you endured all kinds of pokes and prods, exams, and imaging. After a few
days to a few weeks, you stabilized medically, and exited the “acute” stage,
promoting you to your “subacute” stage of stroke recovery. At this point, you
likely experienced all kinds of therapy interventions to help you relearn and
recover as much safety, independence, and function as possible before you would
go on to the next stage of stroke recovery, the "chronic" stage.

You may have stayed in a rehabilitation hospital or skilled nursing facility, or
you may have discharged home with orders for home health or outpatient
therapies. Throughout all of these stages, you may have found it useful to have
a friend or family member present to help you remember things you were taught,
or just to encourage you to not give up.

Though each person experiences stroke and stroke recovery differently, one thing
remains the same: the stronger your support system, the higher the impact on
mental health, recovery of function, and overall social participation. You may
find the importance of your support system to be much more apparent in the
“chronic” part of your journey, where you have been home for months or even
years after your stroke began, and you are trying your best to remain active and
independent.



How do I find a support system?
Support can come from individuals or groups. It can come from people you have
known your whole life, or people you just met today. You may prefer to seek
support from someone who has never experienced what you are going through who
can offer a fresh perspective, or you may feel that you feel most supported by
someone (or multiple people) whose experiences closely mirror your own.

Sometimes it can be hard to connect with people to start the process of building
your support system. If reaching out and asking for help seems unnerving,
consider checking one of the following online support groups first:

The Stroke Channel TV: an online support group that meets every Tuesday at 11am
PST
http://www.thestrokechannel.tv/support-groups.html

The Stroke Network: an online forum where you can simply read through topics and
responses as a guest, or register and post your thoughts
https://www.strokenetwork.org/

Neofect Support Group: an online interactive resource where NEOFECT users and
prospective users can ask questions, share stories, and create connections
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeofectSupportGroup/

For those looking for in-person connections, consider these options:

California Support Groups: Several in-person support groups throughout
California compiled by TheStrokeChannel.TV creator Cristopher Ewing
http://www.thestrokechannel.tv/support-groups.html

Stroke Support Group Finder: an American Stroke Association resource helping you
find a stroke support group in your local area 
https://www.stroke.org/en/stroke-support-group-finder



References:

Reblin, M, and Uchino, B. Social and Emotional Support and its Implication for
Health. (2008). Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 21(2):201–205. doi:
10.1097/YCO.0b013e3282f3ad89

Elloker, T, and Rhoda, A. The relationship between social support and
participation in stroke: A systematic review. (2018). African Journal of
Disability. 7: 357. doi: 10.4102/ajod.v7i0.357

Stroke Survivor Support

The Stroke Journey: Finding Your Support System

While cooking dinner at age 48, Patricia Smith felt a funny feeling go up her arm. After disregarding it and having it happen several more times, she knew that something was wrong.

Stroke Recovery Stories - Patricia's Story



While cooking dinner at age 48, Patricia Smith felt a funny feeling go up her
arm. After disregarding it and having it happen several more times, she knew
that something was wrong. It wasn’t long before her words began to slur, and she
lost feeling in the left side of her body. By the time she reached the hospital,
she was unable to walk. After running tests on her, doctors confirmed that she
had a stroke. At first, she was very upset with the news and felt hopeless. By
her second day in the hospital, however, she gained a newfound determination -
telling the Physical Therapist that she "plans on walking out of this hospital."

Q&A With Patricia, a Stroke Survivor
When you first had symptoms, did you immediately realize what was happening?
At first, I didn’t think anything of it. However, as I continued to get that
funny feeling up my arm, I started to become more worried. I called my daughter
who told me to take my blood pressure, which I did. I had a reading of 140/80,
which is normal
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/why-maintaining-healthy-blood-pressure-important]
. This confused me even more. As I began to experience more symptoms such as
slurring words and loss of feeling, I knew it was a stroke from my experiences
with stroke victims from when I worked at a hospital.

How long were you in recovery?
I was in the hospital for a total of a week. On the first day of my stroke, I
was very upset over the fact that I had lost my ability to walk. I prayed to God
to help me get through it. By the next day, I was determined to regain my
ability to walk again. My Physical Therapist got me a walker, and I began to
walk with it often to try to train my brain back into the motions of how it
feels to walk. By my fourth day in the hospital, I was able to walk again
without the walker. By the end of the week, I was released from the hospital and
I did some outpatient therapy, however I didn’t need to do it for long because I
was able to walk quite well. I also went to therapy for my left hand, but
unfortunately, by the end of the second session, it became apparent that I
wouldn’t regain full feeling in it.

What types of exercises did you do in your recovery?
Most of my exercises were basic hand therapy actions
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/hand-exercise-for-stroke-rehabilitation]. I was
given a ball to squeeze in my left hand to try and increase my strength in that
hand. Another action I performed was simply picking up the ball and putting it
down to work on my motor planning. Lastly, I did some exercises where I would
put pegs in holes on a board to improve my overall hand coordination and fine
motor skills.



What did it feel like the first time you were able to walk again?
It felt amazing. Just to be able to go to the bathroom without a device, without
any help, it was a blessing.

Did you have any previous knowledge of what a stroke was?
Yes, I did. My father was affected by 4 strokes throughout his lifetime so I had
experience with what it was like. Also, my previous work at a hospital brought
me in contact with others that had experienced strokes before, so I knew the
symptoms and effects.

What was the effect on your family during this whole process?
I have 3 kids: David (34), Raymond (29), and Tyesha (23). After I had my stroke,
my kids were devastated. My sons stayed at the hospital with me every night
because they were afraid they might lose me. They were overjoyed when I made my
recovery.


Pictured: Tyesha and Raymond

Have you had any more complications since your stroke?
I still follow up with the doctors regularly. The only thing that has happened
is that I started to get headaches quite often. After an MRI, it turns out I had
several silent strokes and didn’t even know it. I didn’t experience any symptoms
other than a headache and it is though they never happened. Overall, I have made
an almost complete recovery from my initial stroke and have no issues with
walking. My only remaining issue is that I still do not have full feeling in my
left hand.

Do you have any advice for those that could be going through a similar stroke
situation right now?
My main advice is to never give up faith. I was determined that I was going to
be able to walk out of that hospital and I made it happen. Also, having a strong
support system is crucial. It is very easy to feel alone in a situation like
this where you might feel like the people around you don’t understand.



If you want to read other stroke recovery stories like this check out Annie's
story here
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/stroke-recovery-stories-stroke-survivor-annie-stroke-physical-therapy]
.

For other helpful rehab articles, visit neofect.com/us/blog

Get started risk-free by clicking the button below.

If you or a loved one are in need of accessible and affordable rehabilitation
support, please call (866) 989-5375 or email contact.us@neofect.com.

stroke survivor story

The ability to do these simple tasks reduces dependency on others, improves potential for employment and enhances quality of life. 

How to regain hand grasp and function

Spinal cord injury has been recorded in the hieroglyphs of Egypt. You can
imagine the trauma that might have been sustained by workers of the great
pyramids. This would be one of the first recorded industrial accidents.
Pictorial evidence of urinary catheterization has been recorded by these early
historians. It seems that spinal cord injury and other paralysis have been with
us since the dawn of mankind.

Life after a spinal cord injury can sometimes feel a little hopeless because you
have to rely on someone else for everything, even simple everyday tasks like
feeding yourself or brushing your teeth. Although modern medicine has not yet
found a way to cure paralysis, modern technology is starting to bridge the gap.

Table of contents

 * How to adapt on your daily life
 * Functional devices assist with everyday tasks
 * Neomano: Regain hand function and independence

 How to adapt on your daily life
More than one third of spinal cord injury survivors sustain an injury that
causes damage to the spinal cord in the cervical region and results in
tetraplegia. Most people with tetraplegia remain wheelchair-dependent and
reliant on others for physical care. Limited hand and upper limb function is
often more disabling and of greater importance to them than their inability to
walk. Even modest improvements in hand function can have life-changing
implications. For example, a small amount of finger movement enables a person
with tetraplegia to use a keyboard, press a switch, scratch the face and turn
the page of a book. The ability to do these simple tasks reduces dependency on
others, improves potential for employment and enhances quality of life.
Expanding these activities could be the aim of rehabilitation.



 Functional Devices Assist with Everyday Tasks
Over the years there have been many functional splints and devices created to
assist people with everyday tasks. One of the most commonly used functional
devices is called a universal cuff. A universal cuff can be used in a variety of
ways such as to hold a feeding utensil, tooth brush, or makeup brush, etc.
Depending on the level of the spinal cord injury, one may require a wrist
support splint along with the universal cuff or a mobile arm support which will
provide a gravity eliminated position for the upper extremity, allowing active
movement while utilizing less muscle strength.

Another common practice is utilizing foam to build up objects such as feeding
utensils, tooth brush, or writing utensils. If someone needs a little more
support for writing they may be recommended a functional writing splint such as
a figure eight splint or a Wanchik Writer splint.

There have been many other devices and custom splints created in order to
perform fun activities such as gardening, fishing and painting.


NeoMano: Regain Hand Function and Independence
Soft robotics is an emerging discipline that combines the classical principles
of robotics with soft materials and could provide a new class of active
assistive devices.  Neofect has created a soft robotic assistive device called 
NeoMano [http://neomano.neofect.com/] that helps with hand motions in order to
give people back their hand function and independence while only requiring one
device. NeoMano is a wearable robotic glove [http://neomano.neofect.com/] that
assists with the grasp and release of objects. The glove is a partial-glove
design that enables the thumb, pointer and middle finger to perform grasp and
release motions.

 * Shop now - Neofect Shop
   [https://shop.neofect.com?utm_source=Blog_Post&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=Post-how-to-regain-hand-function&utm_term=20211014&utm_content=Neofect-shop]

Actuated by the motor and pulley, the wireless remote control enables the grip
and release of the index & middle finger. When activated, the Grip button flexes
the fingers to provide a gripping gesture. The Release button loosens the wires,
allowing the hand to return to its original neutral position. The wire is highly
elastic, which helps maintain wire integrity despite repetitive winding and
loosening.

NeoMano
[https://shop.neofect.com/products/neomano?variant=32502766927953?utm_source=Blog_Post&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=Post-how-to-regain-hand-function&utm_term=20211014&utm_content=Neomano] 
can assist people with everyday tasks such as feeding, writing, exercising, and
daily grooming tasks. People have even rediscovered old hobbies with the use of
NeoMano, like golfing and photography! 



To find out more about the Neofect Hand Orthosis please visit Neofect Shop
[https://shop.neofect.com?utm_source=Blog_Post&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=Post-how-to-regain-hand-function&utm_term=20211014&utm_content=Neofect-shop] 
or email us at contactus@neofect.com.

NeoMano

Knowing what to look for can mean the difference between life and death, or the difference between saving and losing vital brain cells that help you function.

Early warning signs of stroke that you need to know

Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death [https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/index.htm] 
in the US, and the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States.
However, most of the population do not know the warning signs of a stroke.

Both men and women can suffer from a stroke, but warning signs may differ by
gender. Strokes
[https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/can-stress-cause-a-stroke-the-answer-may-shock-you] 
have historically been shown to be more fatal for women although more men tend
to experience them at a younger age.



Why do I need to know the early warning signs of stroke?
Have you ever wondered what it may look or feel like when a person is having a
stroke? A stroke can happen to anyone at any time; it will not stop to think
about whether you are in the middle of working, grocery shopping, or driving.
Knowing what to look for can mean the difference between life and death, or the
difference between saving and losing vital brain cells that help you function.
That is why it is so important to recognize the signs and act quickly.

It is very important to receive medical attention as soon as you exhibit any of
these warning signs as each second is crucial for survival. A stroke is a severe
medical emergency and if a person does not receive medical attention right away
they are at greater risk for permanent brain damage or death.

If a stroke is treated quickly, doctors are able to administer Tissue
Plasminogen Activator (tPA)
[https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejm199512143332401], a medication that
helps dissolve blood clots. tPA can help decrease the amount of damage done
after sustaining a stroke, but can only be administered within 3 hours of
showing warning signs. Therefore it is very important to get help as quickly as
you can in order to allow for the most successful recovery!

The more familiar you are with the warning signs, the sooner you can get help
and the sooner you get help, the higher the chances are of survival.


Early warning signs of stroke
One of the easiest ways to remember the signs and symptoms of a stroke is to
think: BE FAST.

PRINT OUT THE PICTURE BELOW AND KEEP IT IN A VISIBLE SPACE

B - Balance
E - Eyes

F - Face
A - Arm
S - Speech
T - Time


Now let’s break these down one by one to help each one stand out in your mind.

 1. Balance Loss
    This refers to new unsteadiness or difficulty staying upright and in control
    of your body’s position. Some people may experience dizziness that makes
    them feel “weird” like they can’t quite stand up or sit up correctly. Some
    feel as though they can’t quite get solid footing, or that their bodies
    aren’t reacting quickly enough with a change in position or movement.
    Sometimes muscles just can’t quite coordinate or work right while standing,
    sitting, or walking.
    
    This symptom may feel like someone is sweeping the rug out from beneath you,
    or that you are stepping off of a boat and can’t find equilibrium quickly
    enough. Often, people feel the need to grasp at other objects, lean against
    something, or sit down to help with the feeling of falling. It is easy to
    pass these strange feelings off with thoughts like, “I’m just tired from
    things happening in my life, so this must be my body’s response,” or “maybe
    I didn’t drink enough water or eat enough breakfast.” DON’T ignore your body
    when it doesn’t feel right! A change in balance could mean a stroke - call
    9-1-1.
    
    
 2. Eyesight Changes
    If you suddenly have changes in your vision, this may be a sign to take
    action by getting yourself checked out right away. This symptom is not
    referring to the gradual changes that take place as we age, rather sudden
    changes that have no obvious explanation. A change in vision or a change in
    one or both eyes can mean different things for each person. You may
    experience sudden blurriness, double vision, difficulty reading, or
    confusion with written words. This symptom may be more of a
    dizziness-related feeling, with the world spinning around you. When in
    doubt, check it out!
    
    
 3. Face Drooping
    Sometimes when a person is experiencing the start of a stroke, his or her
    face may become asymmetrical or uneven. Often, one side of the face will
    become numb, tingly, or “droopy.” A quick and effective way to check for
    this is to try to smile a big smile while looking in the mirror (or if you
    suspect someone else is experiencing a stroke, ask that person to smile
    while you observe). If the smile is noticeably uneven from one side to the
    other, get help. Another quick check is to try to shut both eyes as tightly
    as you can and have someone check to see if one eye is not closing as firmly
    as the other. Remember, some faces are a bit asymmetrical to start with -
    this symptom refers to something that is brand new for that person.
    
    
 4. Arm Weakness
    Sudden weakness, numbness, tingling, or even paralysis of a body part is one
    sign that a stroke may be happening. This is often most noticeable on one
    side of the body (for example, the right arm and leg). A quick check for
    this is raising both arms at the same time; if one arm drops down or can’t
    be moved to the same height as the other, get checked out quickly. Remember
    that each person experiences a stroke differently: while one person may have
    weakness or a “strange” feeling in her left arm and leg, another may have
    more obvious paralysis, and only in his right arm. If something is different
    or doesn’t feel right, get it checked by a doctor right away.
    
    
 5. Speech Difficulty
    When a person suddenly has trouble talking or understanding a conversation,
    it can indicate the beginning of a stroke. This symptom can also vary from
    person to person and may look or sound like confusion, slurred speech, using
    incorrect words in a sentence, being hard to understand while having a
    conversation, or not being able to speak at all. A quick check for this is
    to ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. If he or she can’t repeat 5-6
    words clearly, correctly, or in the right order, get help.
    
    
 6. Time to Call 911!
    The most important part about recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke
    is knowing that “time is the brain.” The faster a person receives medical
    help, the faster he or she can be evaluated and treated. Even if the signs
    or symptoms that were noticed seem to be going away, call 9-1-1 and get help
    right away. Once a stroke starts, a part of the brain is being starved of
    oxygen and brain cells are starting to die. The longer this lasts, the
    longer that part of the brain is being injured, and the greater the effects
    to the rest of the body as a result.





Recurrence of stroke and prevention
If you think you are having a stroke, or that someone near you is having a
stroke, first call 9-1-1 immediately. Tell the operator that you are thinking
stroke, and let the emergency personnel handle the rest. Do not attempt to drive
yourself to the hospital, because there’s no way to tell what other symptoms you
may experience on the way or how safe you will be. If you are helping someone
else who may be having a stroke, make sure the person is safe, (lying down on
the floor to prevent falling!) that you are nearby watching for new symptoms,
and that the paramedics can get to you easily. Strokes are scary, but knowing
when one may be happening and what to do about it is powerful and important for
saving a life.


Having a stroke puts you at further risk for future strokes. It's important to
be aware of the early warning signs and to take active steps to prevent future
strokes.


STROKE PREVENTION STRATEGIES

 1. STOP SMOKING
 2. TAKE YOUR MEDICATION AS DIRECTED BY YOUR PHYSICIAN
 3. STAY ACTIVE!
 4. EAT FOODS WITH LOW CHOLESTEROL, TRANS, AND SATURATED FATS
 5. DRINK ALCOHOL IN MODERATION

Check out more information about how to prevent stroke on preventing another
stroke. [https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/how-can-i-prevent-having-another-stoke]



 * Further Reading: 5 symptoms of a left side stroke of the brain
   [https://www.neofect.com/us/blog/5-symptoms-left-side-stroke-brain]


--

If you have had a stroke and are looking for an effective solution for your
rehabilitation needs, please look into Neofect's line of Smart Rehabilitation
Solutions [https://www.neofect.com/us].

To learn more, please call (888) 623-8984 or email contactus@neofect.com.

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not
intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or
treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health
providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you
think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Reliance on any information provided by the NEOFECT website is solely at your
own risk.

References

 * Duke Health
   [https://us.blog.neofect.com/warning-signs-of-stroke-what-to-notice/dukehealth.org]
 * American Stroke Association
   [https://us.blog.neofect.com/warning-signs-of-stroke-what-to-notice/stroke.org]
 * Mayo Clinic
   [https://us.blog.neofect.com/warning-signs-of-stroke-what-to-notice/mayoclinic.org]
 * Benjamin, E. J. et al. (2019) Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2019
   Update: A Report From the American Heart Association
   [https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000659]. Circulation
 * Focht, K. L., Gogue, A. M., White, B. M., & Ellis, C. (2014). Gender
   differences in stroke recognition among stroke survivors
   [https://alliedhealth.ceconnection.com/files/GenderDifferencesinStrokeRecognitionAmongStrokeSurvivors-1412955098269.pdf]
   . The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing : Journal of the American Association
   of Neuroscience Nurses, 46(1), 18-22; quiz 22, E1-2. doi:
   http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JNN.0000000000000026
 * Think FAST to recall the warning signs of a stroke. (2014, 04). Harvard
   Health Publications.Harvard Heart Letter, Retrieved from 
   https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/think-fast-to-recall-the-warning-signs-of-a-stroke
 * https://www.stroke.org/we-can-help/survivors/stroke-recovery/first-steps-to-recovery/preventing-another-stroke/
 * https://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/impact-of-stroke/women-and-stroke/
 * https://www.stroke.org/we-can-help/survivors/stroke-recovery/first-steps-to-recovery/preventing-another-stroke/
 * https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350119

early warning signs of stroke

Not only do many brain injury survivors struggle with physical changes, but they also suffer emotional changes. Here is the best mind health constellation to care your mental health.

The best mental health care after a brain injury - Neofect’s 5 Stars

 What changes happen to brain injury survivors?


How has your life changed after a brain injury? You probably had to make changes
and accommodate yourself to a multitude of once familiar daily tasks like
dressing, washing, cooking, cleaning, shopping groceries, other household
chores, hobbies, work, and/or community reintegration. 


Not only do many brain injury survivors struggle with physical changes, they
also suffer emotional changes. Brain injury survivors are familiar with the
information about physical changes and how to rehabilitate, but some of them are
not aware of their emotional changes. I’ll explain to you some of the major
changes after a brain injury and let you know the best mind health
constellation.


Here are some changes brain injury patients suffer:


 1.  Movement restrictions
    Hemiplegia (complete paralysis of one side of body) and hemiparesis
    (weakness of one side of body) are very common, which result in functional
    and physical deficits. 
    
    Also, part(s) of your body may become weaker and gradually stiffen due to
    the lack of use. This is more prevalent in your hands more than your legs.
    Upper extremity recovery usually takes longer than lower extremity. 
    
    Exercising the weak and/or stiff parts of your body can help improve your
    function and prevent contractures.
    
    
 2. Swallowing problems (dysphagia)
    Are you having difficulties swallowing food? The technical term for this is
    “dysphagia”. It can be improved with proper treatment and/or change in diet
    (make sure to consult with your MD and speech language pathologist (SLP))!
    
    Some of complications occur when you have trouble swallowing food or liquid.
    Sometimes the food passes through the airway, instead of esophagus, and
    blocks the airway, causing you to cough or choke.
    
    Dysphagia can also lead to serious conditions such as pneumonia,
    dehydration, or malnutrition.
    
    
 3. Cognitive impairment
    Brain injury survivors’ cognitive skills, such as alertness, awareness,
    perception, memory, attention span, etc, may be affected. 
    
    Though it is impossible to predict the outcomes, this can be improved over
    time, hard work, and therapy. 
    
    Try not to feel too anxious about it—Let’s beat this together!
    
    
 4. Communication problems (aphasia)
    Do you have trouble formulating speech or articulating words?
    
    Aphasia occurs when the brain injury affects the part of the brain that is
    responsible for comprehending and expressing the language.
    
    Depending on the severity, the loss of speech and language abilities may be
    temporary or long-term. Consult with your SLP, as speech therapy could help
    you with language communication skills!
    
    
 5. Emotional changes
    This is one of the very common symptoms among brain injury survivors.
    
    You may experience emotional changes for 2 reasons:
    1) You may experience emotional changes as you try to cope with the losses
    or aftereffects from the brain injury itself; and/or, 2)the brain injury may
    have damaged the part of your brain that regulates hormones and emotions.
    
    Either way, please don’t blame yourself for the mood swings and depression.
    It is not your fault, and we are here to help you cope with this!
    
    
 6. Other signs
    Visual impairment (trouble with visual processing, neglect or unawareness of
    one side of the visual field, spatial awareness, difficulty identifying
    objects, etc.) and numbness in the limbs may occur.
    

To recap, these changes arise from damage to particular areas of the brain.


Although damaged brain tissue can’t be regenerated, your brain’s ability to
reconnect and recover the functions—neuroplasticity—is possible!




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table of contents

1. What changes happen to brain injury survivors?
2. Why do you need mental care after a brain injury?
3. The best mental health care after a brain injury
4. Conclusion(wrap-up)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Why do you need mental care after a brain injury?
Many go through sudden and uncontrollable mood shifts: like bursting into tears
or laughing involuntarily.


Also, they are concerned if they’ll actually recover because daily progress
isn’t visible to the eye. Oftentimes, needless worries and doubts cloud your
judgment. Feelings of grief may take over or some actually give up on rehab
altogether.


Some worry that others will judge them.

Will they notice my illness? Will I cause discomfort? Will some avoid me for my
disabilities?

These repeated thought patterns will lower their self-esteem and minimize their
social interactions.



There will be temporary downturns. It may feel like you’re getting worse no
matter how hard you try.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 The best mental health care after a brain injury
"Will this work?”

“I’m not getting better.”

“I want to give up.”


Many brain injury survivors express concerns and frustrations. In fact, the
emotional rollercoaster is a natural part of recovery.


But, you are not alone. We are here to encourage you and help you cope with the
negative thoughts and emotions as you go through brain injury rehabilitation.


Rehabit’s 5 Stars
★Star 1. Embrace the changes.
★Star 2. Slowly but surely, I’m getting better.
★Star 3. Connect with others.
★Star 4. Setbacks only make me stronger.
★Star 5. I can be happy even after a brain injury.



We want you to remember these five elements for emotional wellness as you cope
with brain injury recovery. There will be times where you may feel vulnerable
but let these stars guide you in your day-to-day life as you continue with
rehabilitation.




 ★Star 1. Embrace the changes



Let's begin with Star 1—“Embrace the changes.”


Here’s a comment from “Neofect Support Group”, our Facebook community:



“I had my brain injury a year ago. Lately, I’ve experienced some emotional
changes. I bursted out crying while watching a Disney movie last night. I’m
suddenly feeling sensitive these days. I’ve never been this way before. But
recently, I discovered it’s a common post-injury symptom. Have any of you gone
through it?”


Did you ever feel this way? Unable to hold your tears during a movie, or
laughing unconsciously at something trivial?



The technical term for this condition is called PBA(Pseudobulbar Affect). 


It’s an uncontrollable display of emotions regardless of one’s actual feelings.
Physical damage to the frontal lobe that controls emotional expression causes
these strange outbursts. 


Many suffer from this emotional rollercoaster. These unrestrained and
unintentional expressions of emotions may end up dragging you down to
self-sabotage and depression.

Stop right there.


Remind yourself that this is the normal part of the rehab. It’s a natural
physiological response to the damaged brain following a brain injury.


You are surrounded by your family and friends who care about you. There are also
other brain injury survivors who can relate to you. We, Rehabit, are also here
for you. We will help you develop healthy coping skills.





 ★Star 2. Slowly but surely, I’m getting better
“Am I getting better?”


Many brain injury survivors question their recovery. They look at their stiff
hands and worry if they’ll ever improve. They doubt, then lose motivation, which
may affect their recovery negatively.


Don’t allow these negative thoughts to misguide you. Always remind yourself that
you are better than yesterday. Your body functions are recovering every day.
Your mental health is also improving every day. These are hard facts.


What brain injury survivors need is faith, first and foremost. And let
experienced therapists provide you with quality rehab solutions and trust the
process.


Remember you’re always moving forward even if it’s not visible to the naked eye.




According to therapists, progress may not be visible each and every day even if
we are always getting better everyday in rehab, we're not aware of it because
it’s not tangible.


However, all your efforts and struggles will eventually pay off!


You are getting better.


Walk with us in the Rehabit journey, and you will see your progress in the end!






 ★Star 3. Connect with others


Gilovich et al. (2000) conducted a study on “The spotlight effect in social
judgment”, and found that people tend to overestimate how their actions and
appearance are noted by others. 


In this study, participants had to wear T-shirts they didn’t like while
interacting with others. When the participants were asked roughly how many
people did they think had seen their T-shirts, their answers exceeded the actual
number of people that have noticed the T-shirts that the participants were
wearing.


This indicates that people’s primary focus is on themselves and are rather too
self-conscious to pay much attention to others. 


Many brain injury survivors are self-conscious, and worry about what others
would think about them. They assume that others are uncomfortable around them
because of their physical disabilities, postures and/or awkwardness caused by
injury.


This causes them to be withdrawn and isolated. They struggle, or even avoid
socializing with others in the communities. 


Instead of being worried about what others may think of you and convincing
yourself that you’d rather be alone, step out of your comfort zone and interact
with others! 


Having meaningful conversation and spending quality time with others can be very
helpful. It will also give you a sense of belonging and security when you regard
yourself as an important member of your social groups, such as family, circle of
friends, etc. 


Moreover, others need your support just like you need theirs. Socializing plays
a major role in rehab because it provides social support and motivation in your
journey to recovery.


Have you ever thought — “I’ll socialize more after I succeed in rehab.”


This may not be the healthiest approach. Your social life before rehab should be
maintained even after your injury. 


Start practicing your social skills today. Stick with the habit of talking to
your family and friends, and ask them how they are doing. You can also meet up
with them and spend quality time together. You can even take a step further and
chat with new people in the online or offline support groups. They’ll be glad to
connect with you.






 ★Star 4. Setbacks only make me stronger
Many brain injury survivors experience rehab slumps. Even if they get enough
training done, the body doesn’t feel right.


You feel like you hit a brick wall on the path to recovery. In fact, rehab may
even seem like running on a treadmill...What should you do?



Bear in mind that slumps won’t make you collapse. They’re stepping stones for
you to forge ahead.


They're only temporary yet necessary—a sign that you’re on the right track.



Coping with these setbacks and challenges may be difficult at first, but will
get easier with time. Eventually, you will get stronger and more resilient,
which is considered an important factor in your progress.


When a slump comes your way, welcome it as if it’s your day off, knowing it’ll
ultimately lead to healing. The right amount of rest is a part of rehab, too.
Make rehab a happy journey where you can unwind and relax along the way.


Remember—After every setback, there’s a comeback!





 ★Star 5. I can be happy even after a brain injury
Life is filled with the unforeseen circumstances and traumas. Brain injury
brings a lot of changes, losses, and challenges in your mind and body. It is
normal to feel frustrated and overwhelmed during brain injury recovery.


Happiness is not defined by your illness and medical conditions. Happiness is
actually based on your perception. However, it is not easy to stay positive all
the time.



Regardless of the life circumstances, there are always things to be grateful for
everyday. For instance — clean water, food, social support, technology that
allows you to be on this app, enough strength and energy to complete your rehab
routines, etc...


Actively look for the happy moments and simple pleasures in your life.


Engage in activities that you love, recite positive affirmations, and work on
changing your lifestyle. Write down the small and big goals in your life, and
think about what you can do today to get a step closer to achieving them.


Though it seems unimaginable at the moment, it is possible to get through this,
and live a life full of contentment and purpose even after a brain injury.


You need time to heal physically and emotionally, and we hope that each day gets
easier for you.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Conclusion (Wrap-up)
Which star did you think was most memorable? 



Regardless of your frustrations, your efforts will eventually pay off. Your
valuable time and efforts in your current path will come to fruition—just like
nurturing a plant, watering it and giving it time to grow into a sturdy tree
with strong, deep roots.


Your progress has transpired from the beginning and it's happening at this
moment. Be with Rehabit, and it's still to come. And in due time, it will bear
fruit.


If you’re interested in Rehabit, please visit here
[https://www.neofect.com/us/rehabit]. ?

Install Rehabit now
[https://www.neofect.com/app-download?app=rehabit&pid=organic_MKT&c=Blog&af_adset=Post_best-mental-care] 
and reclaim your health and happiness!