Insight for Caregivers
Patient Portrayal

Help your loved one stay on track

Help make a difference in your loved one’s life after a stroke.

Being a caregiver can be difficult. You can make things easier for your loved one by learning more about TIA (transient ischemic attack or “mini-stroke”) and stroke. You can also talk to your loved one’s doctor about whether FDA-approved AGGRENOX is right for them.

In addition to AGGRENOX, the Taking Smart Steps™ program is another way to help you care for your loved one. AGGRENOX provides medication reminders that can help you stay on top of his or her treatment regimen.

If you’re caring for someone who has had a stroke due to a blood clot, you can help prepare yourself by:

Learning about the condition—Find out all you can about your loved one's condition, as well as ways to help reduce his or her risk of a subsequent stroke.

Assessing the situation—Write down everything, including the person’s needs and abilities, your own abilities and limitations, and your financial, healthcare, and support resources. This can help you develop a plan for caregiving.

Partnering with the doctor—Write down any questions ahead of time, and consider scheduling a consultation appointment for more uninterrupted time. Get a list of helpful questions to ask the doctor.

Gathering your support network—Sit down with everyone who may be involved in giving care to your loved one. Talk about what’s happening and split up responsibilities.

Please see the Tools and Resources section for organizations that are able to provide additional information for patients and caregivers.

Know the effects of stroke

A stroke can cause a range of damage—depending on the part of the brain affected. Your loved one may experience some of the following common effects of stroke:

  • Weakness or paralysis of one side of the body
  • Vision problems
  • Emotional problems
  • Cognitive difficulties (trouble with thinking, understanding, learning, or remembering)
  • Difficulty with speech
     

To help your loved one manage both the physical and emotional challenges of life after a stroke, you may have many different responsibilities.

These may include:

  • Caring for your loved one’s personal hygiene
  • Cleaning and other housekeeping duties
  • Shopping and preparing meals
  • Arranging for transportation to doctor appointments, rehabilitation, and other outings
  • Helping him or her work on any skills they may have learned in rehabilitation
  • Managing his or her finances as well as legal and business affairs, if needed
  • Providing companionship, or, if needed, supervision
  • Planning recreational activities

Help your loved one follow his or her treatment plan each day.

You can help lower your loved one’s risk by understanding his or her condition.
Here is some information you should know about your loved one:

Blood pressure number: Make sure your loved one has his or her blood pressure checked.

Cholesterol numbers—Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol: Make sure your loved one has his or her cholesterol tested if your loved one has high cholesterol or other risk factors.

Medical history: Ask the doctor if there are any other medical conditions you should be aware of, including diabetes or heart problems.

Diet and exercise habits: Work together with your loved one and his or her doctor to make any changes needed to reduce stroke risk through diet and exercise.


How to deal with the stress of being a caregiver

Being a caregiver is hard work. Enlist outside help whenever possible. This may include home health aides for personal care assistance, homemaker assistants for help with household tasks, or meal programs to ease the burden of grocery shopping and cooking. Other family members or friends may be able to help out too.

Take time for yourself—Find a part-time caregiver or adult day care to help out when you need a break.

Monitor yourself for signs of depression—It can be frustrating and sad at times to care for someone who has suffered a stroke.

Keep up with your own interests—Continue your hobbies as much as possible.

Remain social—Try to continue to see friends when possible.

Take care of your own health—Eat a well-balanced diet and get at least 30 minutes of physical activity a few days a week.

Find a support group—It helps to know that you are not alone. Find others to share your experiences with.

Important Safety Information http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/ Prescribing Information


AGGRENOX Stories: Watch real patient and doctor videos >GO NOWGet up to $20 OFF your prescription of AGGRENOX and join the Taking Smart Steps™ program >SIGN UP NOW Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation

Need Help paying for AGGRENOX? Our patient assistance program may be able to help. Boehringer Ingelheim CARES FOUNDATION
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