Contents:
- Medical Video: The Stroke Effect: Life after a Stroke
- What needs to be considered before you return to work after a stroke
- 1. Consult a doctor first
- 2. Ask yourself, am I ready to work again?
- 3. Ask for support from your family and office where you work
- 4. Don't be disappointed if your work performance decreases
Medical Video: The Stroke Effect: Life after a Stroke
Nearly one third of stroke cases occur in productive age (less than 65 years). However, returning to work after a stroke might be a bit of a challenge for you. Strokes can cause rapid damage to the brain and leave a number of effects on the body that appear afterwards.
Some of the consequences that may occur after a stroke include blurred vision in one or both eyes, weakness of the body which causes difficulty walking or lifting and carrying weights, to less sensitive feeling. All of these impacts can affect how you move. Therefore, first consider the following tips if you want to go back to work after a stroke.
What needs to be considered before you return to work after a stroke
1. Consult a doctor first
If you were previously a very active person, a stroke recovery period that mostly involves resting at home might make you feel "itchy" wanting to get back on the move. Some people may even experience depression or anxiety when they no longer work.
But before establishing the intention to return to work after a stroke, you certainly have to discuss it with your doctor first. Ask your doctor whether your condition is stable enough to move back. Also ask what work activities you can do with the minimum risk.
2. Ask yourself, am I ready to work again?
If your doctor has given you the green light, then you need to ask yourself - are you really ready to work again?
To help you decide, try asking yourself this:
- Have you been strong enough to move for a long time (eg gardening or cleaning up your house)
- Are you ready for the risk that strokes can happen again and again as a result of your return to work?
- Is your health insurance still able to cover the costs if you have another stroke?
- Do you want to return to work full time or part time?
- Do you want to go back to the same company, work and responsibilities or want to try something different?
Remember that there are no right or wrong answers to these questions. You are the one who understands yourself the most, then follow your heart and see also how strong your physical health condition is to move back.
3. Ask for support from your family and office where you work
After you are sure to return to work and your health condition is adequate, now is the time for you to ask for help and support from people around you. Explain to them that you need help to maintain your health after a stroke.
Also tell your office colleagues what to do when you have to help you when you have a recurrent stroke, who to contact during an emergency, or even help you avoid things that can trigger a relapse stroke. Support and cooperation with colleagues in the office is very important when you return to work after a stroke.
4. Don't be disappointed if your work performance decreases
Going back to work after being sick will certainly feel different from before when you were still fit. Don't get too drawn up thinking about declining work performance. Changes in the brain and body after stroke will certainly affect your productivity in the office. So, you should not expect too high to not be affected by stress.
Stress can increase blood pressure which can trigger your condition worse. Stagnant forces you to work overtime or take on more difficult work before your condition is properly restored.
