The stroke survivor and the caregiver need to deal with so many post stroke aspects that emotional changes may be lower on your priority list. The emotional issues can change your relationship with your loved one. After the first year, we are so happy they are alive and learning their limitations that the caregiver can overlook emotional changes. When discharged home, the health team will educate on depression but limited conversation on dealing with APATHY.

Why does my stroke survivor suffer from APATHY?

Upon research, I found the following study…

Int J Stroke. 2021 Jul; 16(5): 510–518.

Published online 2021 Feb 4.

Apathy after stroke: Diagnosis, mechanisms, consequences, and treatment

Jonathan Tay,1 Robin G Morris,2 and Hugh S Markus1

Apathy after stroke: Diagnosis, mechanisms, consequences, and treatment - PMC (nih.gov)

Apathy is a behavioral syndrome characterized by a loss of motivation that occurs in one-third of patients after stroke.1,2 Post-stroke patients with apathy suffer from greater functional impairment and demonstrate slower recovery times to normal functioning.3,4 Furthermore, apathy is a risk factor for incident vascular disease, dementia, and mortality.5,6 Despite high prevalence and an impact on outcomes after stroke, apathy remains poorly understood.

Not every Stroke survivor deal with APATHY post stroke but if your loved one does, here are some tips.

What does apathy look like?

Loss of Interest and Motivation in activities they normally enjoy or isolating from friends and family.

Lack of Concern for Personal Care

Difficulty Initiating and Completing Tasks

Difficulty with decision-making, planning, and goal setting

A common response the caregiver will hear is “I’m Fine” They are not really aware of how they are behaving.

Remember that apathy is a result of the stroke injury and not a deliberate choice by the survivor. If you suspect apathy in a stroke survivor, consider seeking professional evaluation and support to address this challenging symptom

What the caregiver can do?

Before you do anything, share what you are seeing with your loved one’s health provider. Provide examples, this not only helps the provider determine the best approach but allows the stroke survivor clear examples of the issue.

Based on my experience, research and talking to others, I have found the following tips.

Activity

Activity is key in our relationship. Not only physical but mental activity as well. Walking is an activity that helped the apathy and also helped him regain his confidence regarding balance issues and he can manage any issues related to falling.

Patience

Apathy is a hard side effect for the caregiver. It can be difficult to wrap your head around that they just are unable to care about life’s daily activities and it is out of their control. I know that is still a challenge for me. Be patient with your loved one.

Do not overwhelm them with choices. Pick two at the most.

Pick your battles. I would like to have deep conversations and have a plan. He would listen but it just does not always connector remembered.

You do not have to do everything. If t there is something that needs completion and your loved one is not engaged, find someone to help you.

Provide a list of things that you need done or activities that you both would enjoy. Give the list at the beginning of the month (I put it on his calendar, so it is easy to see) Only check in weekly on progress not daily.

Allow yourself to grieve the change.

The relationship between you and your loved one has changed. It is the same whether you are a spouse, significant other, child or friend. Options are available; talk to others at a support group, counseling, this website and the Facebook page “strokecaregiverconnection” or discuss with your health provider.

Therapies

Every brain response differently, it is critical that you and your health care provider are on the same page. Antidepressants have been helpful in some patients but not a cure all for apathy. Behavioral therapy can help the stroke survivor and caregiver with strategies for dealing with the apathy but remember this is due to the stroke and not something they can control.

Hope

My loved one’s stroke was three years ago. We have good days when I see him as the man I married and other days he struggles. Hold on to the good days. A great exercise I started was to list 2-3 things that I was grateful for with my stroke survivor. I also put a smiley face on the good days, you will be amazed by the number of smileys.

You can do this.

Each morning, start the day with the mantra “I am amazing, I can manage the day and I am a child of God who guides me.”

If you want to schedule one on one time with me, click on the contact page with your request and I would love to set up a time.

For more information on what worked for us, check out “Stroke and the Spouse” available on Amazon or follow the code below to purchase.

Stroke Caregiver Connection…Because you care!

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