Brain Aneurysm Foundation Support Group Manual Support-Group-Manual_17 | Page 13

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)
• Definition
• Aneurysmal, spontaneous,
traumatic SAH
• Signs and symptoms
• Urgency of treatment
• Mortality/morbidity
• Sequelae: vasospasm, re-bleed, seizure,
hydrocephalus, headache syndromes,
cognitive impairments
Recovery:
Symptoms and Management
• Memory/attention
• Fatigue
• Motor/sensory/perceptual
impairments
• Depression
(patients and caregivers)
• Post-SAH medications: anti-seizure
meds, antiplatelet therapies —
rationale and side effects/management
• Post-SAH headaches
• Time frame of recovery
Recovery/Rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation therapies
• Length of rehabilitation, rehabilitation
activities, adaptive equipment
• C
 ommunity resources for
adaptive equipment
• Selection of rehabilitation providers
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Returning to work; advocating for
work alternatives, etc.
Finances/Legal
We recommend inviting a social worker
and/or an estate/employment law
professional to present this discussion.
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
and its role in employment protection
• Accessing short- or long-term disability
(STD/LTD) through an employer
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
and Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI)
• Inpatient/outpatient coverages and
policies
• Respite care, community supports
• Long Term Care (LTC) insurance
• Advance directives/Durable Power of
Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC)
and their importance
Psychosocial Aspects of Recovery
You may want to consider breakout
sessions for caregivers and patients to
meet and support each other separately.
• Depression, anxiety: symptoms and
treatment options (counseling, peer
support, medication)
• Caregiver support; how to arrange for
caregiving
• Learning to ask for and receive help
• Resuming social roles: communication,
compensatory techniques in social
situations
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