Following a stroke, a senior can face a wide variety of physical and cognitive issues. While some of those symptoms might seem overwhelming, most of them are likely to get better as long as the stroke survivor follows a comprehensive recovery plan. Here’s a quick look at some of the milestones most stroke survivors achieve in the first three months of recovery.
Immediately Following a Stroke
A stroke occurs when the brain’s supply of blood is cut off for a short time, and that type of event is immediately going to impact different areas of the body. When the warning signs are caught early and the senior heads right to the hospital, drugs can usually be administered to minimize brain damage. Once the individual has been stabilized, the medical team will try to determine what caused the stroke and which areas of the brain were affected. After they have that information, they’ll immediately establish a recovery plan.
The First Few Days
The average stroke survivor is going to stay in the hospital for at least a few days so all vital signs can be monitored. During that time, the senior will be given medication that prevents blood clots from forming in the arteries. He or she might also be visited by a physical therapist who helps with various range of motion exercises. These exercises are very important for stroke survivors, and they can reduce the risk of long-term nerve damage. When the medical team determines the senior’s condition has stabilized, he or she will likely be sent to an inpatient center or nursing facility.
This is the best time to plan ahead for your loved one’s return home. Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Amarillo Home Care Assistance 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.
Inpatient Recovery
Most stroke survivors are going to feel much better by the time they’re transferred to inpatient care facilities, but the road to recovery is lengthy. At these facilities, they’ll be assigned doctors who can help them create daily routines. The routines will most likely include exercising with physical therapists every few hours. They’ll also be assigned speech pathologists if verbal skills were impacted by the stroke. A stroke can affect the ability to eat as well, and the inpatient center will provide nutrient-dense foods that are easy to eat and digest.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide elderly home care. Turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
Heading Home
Every situation is slightly different, but most stroke survivors should be able to head home within a few weeks. Once home, the senior will need to follow a strict routine if he or she wants to continue making progress. The routine will probably include multiple physical therapy sessions every week. Within a few months, many stroke survivors are able to begin carrying out everyday tasks such as feeding themselves and getting out of bed. Some are also able to walk around with mobility devices such as walkers or canes.
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. Amarillo, Texas, live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate, professional in-home care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (806) 803-9991.