Strokes aren’t always fatal. In fact, according to the CDC, approximately 795,000 people in the United States have strokes annually. Roughly 87 percent of all strokes are the result of blood flow to the brain being restricted, which are known as ischemic strokes. Out of all people who have strokes, around 85 percent require extensive post-stroke care and rehabilitation.
When a person experiences a stroke, it affects brain function. Post-stroke, a person can have problems with motor skills, speech, muscle function, memory loss, mobility, and more. In some cases, stroke survivors never fully recover their lost abilities. However, this doesn’t mean they cannot regain most of their normal function and enjoy a high quality of life.
The days, weeks, and months following the stroke are considered a critical period. This is when the individual will make the most progress, although ongoing treatment is necessary to ensure continuous stimulation and recovery. You can use these tips to make sure everything is in place to provide your loved one with the best care possible.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in senior home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care Frederick for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Learning about the Effects of the Stroke
There are different types of strokes, and your loved one’s care plan will depend on his or her prognosis. Seniors who have had mild strokes may only need small amounts of assistance as they regain their independence. Those who’ve had major strokes that caused damage to critical parts of their brains may need long-term care that requires someone to stay with them around the clock.
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Frederick, MD, in-home care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a professional caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place.
What to Include in the Post-Stroke Care Plan
While it can be difficult to determine what type of care and specialists are needed, a general guideline you can use is to consider these professionals as potential partners in your loved one’s care plan:
· Speech and language pathologist – Since strokes affect speech and motor skills, some seniors have to relearn how to read, write, and talk.
· Psychologist – Post-stroke life can be stressful for seniors and their loved ones. Psychologists can also help seniors address cognitive and memory loss problems.
· Occupational therapist – Stroke survivors often have to relearn how to perform daily chores and personal hygiene tasks, such as showering, cooking, and cleaning.
· In-home caregiver – Once seniors reach a certain point in their recovery and are discharged from the hospital, most want to return home but require help and support. Caregivers provide help for the entire family, and they address issues when family members live far away.
· Physical therapist – Most stroke survivors need some form of physical therapy to regain mobility function.
With age, the risk of stroke increases. It’s worthwhile to sit down with your loved one and make a post-stroke care plan ahead of time so you will know your loved one’s wishes should he or she become incapacitated after a stroke.
If your senior loved one needs professional Frederick home care service, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your parent, give us a call at (301) 786-5045 today.
