young stroke toolbox information for relatives of young patients with brain hemorrhage or infarction

information for relatives of young patients with brain hemorrhage or infarction

A stroke has a major impact on all members of the family.
Of course, the hospital is responsible for the care of those who have suffered a stroke. Outside of the hospital, the municipality is responsible for the health and wellbeing of the family.
Here you will find information and useful links for organizations that can provide help or information in various areas.
 
In general, the website www.naasteninbeeld.nl provides information about all aspects that you, as a partner or loved one, may have to deal with when your partner or loved one is affected by a stroke.

• Communication within the family

  If you are being treated by a medical specialist, you may be referred to medical social work services for specialized psychosocial support during the hospitalization. If necessary, this can be transferred to a social worker from the municipality or a medical social worker from the receiving institution.

  • Medical social work services can be reached from home via the municipality: Centrum voor jeugd en Gezin (in Dutch).

  ABI professionals are outpatient counselors with expertise in assisting people with an acquired brain injury (ABI) and their loved ones. They are funded by the municipality under the Dutch social support act (WMO).
  You can contact them yourself. They also provide guidance regarding funding via the WMO.

  • Niet Aangeboren Herstel (in Dutch)
  • Informal caregivers, what will you encounter? (in Dutch)
  • lectures on partner days/conferences: (in Dutch)
  • are you, as a partner, experiencing a lack of understanding? (in Dutch)

  In addition to ABI professionals, there are other organizations which provide outpatient support. Have a look in the zorgzoeker (carer search) under the heading NAH organisaties (ABI organizations).

• Pedagogical problems and consequences for single-parent families (if the other parent becomes absent due to illness)

  • Mee foundation: Stichting MEE (in Dutch)
  • Care from the municipality (WMO): Zorg vanuit de gemeente (WMO) (in Dutch)
  • Schoolmaatschappelijk Werk (in Dutch)
  • Information on the role of the social district teams: Sociale wijkteams (in Dutch)
  • www.ouderalleen.nl provides a forum, contact with people who have gone through the same thing, information, and experiences regarding all aspects of parenthood, legislation, divorce, testaments, and fun topics like outings, holidays, and parties (in Dutch).

• Appointing a guardian, legal representation

  A guardian may be required when a person’s legal capacity needs to be taken over temporarily, partially, or permanently due to a stroke. Examples of a guardian’s responsibilities include arranging finances or making personal and/or medical decisions. Family members must mutually agree on arranging this. This is unfortunately not always possible. Below you will find a link to the options and information about various forms of guardianship.  A medical social worker can provide guidance during this process at a hospital or institution.

  • More information on legal representation and appointing a guardian (in Dutch)

• Additional healthcare expenses

  When your partner or family member is admitted to the hospital, costs can run high and go unnoticed. Parking or travel expenses are examples of this. It is not guaranteed that the health insurance will cover the costs. In addition to informing you about health insurance, you will find some links below to websites that may offer help or information (all in Dutch):  

  • Meerkosten 
  • Rijksoverheid – bijzondere bijstand 
  • Nibud – regelingen voor ouders
  • Hersenletsel-uitleg – uitleg zorgwetten
  • Zorghulpatlas – NAH

• Inability to work

  If your partner becomes unable to work after a stroke, this may have consequences for your joint income. As a partner you may be busy handling paperwork and agreements regarding income. Below you will find a link with tips for when you need to discuss this with authorities.

  • Verder met hersenletsel – tips voor uw gesprek bij het UWV (in Dutch)