The right half of the brain controls judging distance, size, speed, and position. This may cause a person with a right CVA to misjudge distances leading to falls. The person may not be able to control the hand to pick up an object. Survivors of right hemisphere strokes often have problems making good decisions. These patients often become impulsive. They are often unaware of the changes that have happened to them and believe they can still perform he same tasks as they did before the stroke. In addition, RCVA leads to left-sided neglect due to visual field changes. Left-sided neglect causes the patient ‘forget’ or ‘ignore’ objects or people on the left side. Finally, RCVA survivors will have issues with short-term memory. Although the patient may be able to tell you about an event that happened 20 years ago, they may not be able to tell you whom they spoke with that morning or what they had for breakfast.
Cues for RCVA; Affects the Left Side of the Body. Trouble knowing how far or near an object is to the body. Neglect of left side of the body or not able to see things to the left of the body. Poor decision making. Not appreciating changes in ability since the stroke leading to safety concerns. Impulsiveness. Short attention span and slowed learning of new things.
The left half of the brain controls speech and language for most people. A LCVA survivor may also have trouble speaking or understanding what is being said to them (aphasia). They are often slow and careful and it may take many verbal cues and a lot of extra time to get some tasks done. They may also have trouble remembering or learning new things.
Cues for LCVA; Aphasia. Slow, careful movements. Not able to see things on the right side of the body.
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