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Information and Resources For The Caregivers of Stroke Survivors

Being the caregiver for someone who suffered a stroke can be an extremely challenging experience. This page is designed to help you find the resources and support you will need in order to you face many of the day to day challenges you will find as you help someone recover from a stroke.
The Whys and Why-Nots of Feeding Tube Placement
Stroke can lead to severe enough difficulty swallowing to require the temporary, or even permanent, placement of a feeding tube. But deciding whether or not to allow doctors to place of a feeding tube in a loved one can be an extremely difficult task.
What is a Comprehensive Stroke Center?
In 2000, the formation of "comprehensive stroke centers," large hospitals which are equipped with all the resources and personnel necessary to provide the latest stroke treatments, was recommended by a group of stroke specialists in the United States. Learn why these comprehensive stroke centers are so important for good stroke care in one's area and one's community.
Stroke Treatments-Stroke Centers Provide Superior Care for Stroke Patients
New advances in stroke care have brought to life the concept of the Stroke Center, a specialized facility within a hospital where a group of people who specialize in stroke care work together to diagnose, manage, and rehabilitate stroke patients. This article describes why stroke centers provide superior stroke care, and what a hospital needs in order to meet the requirements for certification as a primary stroke center.
Acute Stroke Teams
Acute stroke teams are groups of health care professionals who work together to improve stroke treatment. How do these teams work? Why do they make your neighborhood safer? Read on, and learn why acute stroke teams are so important for the treatment of patients with an acute stroke.
Heparin Treatment: Basic Information About Heparin and its Uses
Heparin is an important medication used in hospitals to prevent the formation of blood clots, and the extension of existing ones. Learn important information about that conditions that require heparin treatment, its relationship to stroke, its side effects and other key aspects of heparin treatment.
Coumadin and Stroke Prevention
Coumadin is a potent blood thinner used for stroke prevention. Because of its powerful ability to prevent blood clots from forming, coumadin may also cause bleeding.
Aphasia Treatment in Stroke
Aphasia is caused by poor production, processing, or understanding of language due to brain damage, most commonly from stroke. This article provides an introduction to some of the principles behind aphasia therapy, and gives a few examples of the therapies currently used to help people with aphasia recover the ability to communicate effectively.
What is Pure Word Deafness?
Pure word deafness is a rare type of aphasia most commonly caused by stroke. Learn about this interesting condition, and about the types of stroke that cause it.
Blood Thinners and Stroke Prevention
Blood thinners are used for stroke prevention because they can prevent blood clot formation. Learn important information about the most common blood thinners and about their most commonly reported side effects. If you or someone you know is taking blood thinners for stroke prevention this is information you can't afford to miss.
Why Being A Caregiver Can Be Hard On Your Health
The high levels of stress experienced during the daily life of a caregiver can have detrimental effects on their health. This article identifies the most common issues that cause stress on the lives of caregivers and provides ideas about how to cope with them.
The National Family Caregivers Association
This website offers education and support for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability. The website not only offers great written materials but also provides a way to connect with other caregivers with similar experiences.
Caregivers Handbook
This fourty-two page free book written by Stroke Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) provides an immensely useful compilation of information for the caregivers of stroke survivors. Its information ranges from basic stroke biology to how to deal with hospitals and insurance companies.
Stroke Family Caregiving For African Americans
Written to close the communication gap between hospitals, rehabilitation centers, caregivers, and patients, this website provides critical information for the stroke caregiver ranging from recognizing depression to dealing with incontinence.
American Heart Association Caregiver Forum
This active forum helps caregivers across the country (and across the world!) help each other by sharing information regarding caregiver-related issues. It is amazing to see how many replies come back for each of the questions posted on this forum. Post your questions here and get the answers you need.
Family Caregiving 101
This website is a great resource of wisdom and advice to those who unexpectedly have found themselves in the role of caregivers.
American Stroke Foundation
This website, which is maintained by the American Stroke Foundation provides important information about how to be a caregiver to someone who has suffered a stroke. Use this website to find superb tips on how to be a great caregiver.
StrokeSmart
Here you can find free subscriptions to one of the leading magazines for stroke survivors and their families. The magazine's website has great articles which can help you understand what it means to be a stroke survivor, and what you can do to help one.

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