subject: Sexual activity and stroke [print this page] Sexual activity and stroke Sexual activity and stroke
Social impact of stroke: The quality and the frequency of social contacts are often unexpectedly decreased after stroke (Trigg, Wood and Langton-Hewer 1999). Former friends, neighbours, and workmates may cease to visit, contributing to the experience of social isolation (Anderson, Linto and Stewart-Wynne 1995). Anderson, Linto and Stewart-Wynne (1995) also reported that almost 50 per cent of one-year stroke survivors with residual disability were dependent on family members for their social activity. However, Ebrahim and Harwood (1999) argued that stroke survivors may become isolated not only because of the lack of inclination to visit friends or travel to social events but also because of a lack of appropriate facilities such as day centres and clubs. This may have important implications for stroke survivors who live in developing countries where facilities for people with disabilities in the community are not available or are indeed accessible (Thorvaldsen, Asplund and Kuulasmaa 1995). Lack of leisure activities has frequently been reported as a problem impeding stroke survivors from resuming full lives (Evans, Bishop and Haselkorn 1991; Holmqvist et al 1993). Impaired physical function and deficient communication skills may lead to feelings of stigma and loss of confidence which could explain the decline in participation in social activities after stroke (Parker, Gladman and Drummond 1997).
