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Post-Stroke Care for Aging Adults

December 21, 2018
Linda Kunicki
If your elderly loved one has just suffered a stroke, it’s important to know how much their life is going to change in the coming weeks and months. Depending on the severity of the stroke, your aging relative may need round-the-clock care as they struggle to adapt to their new life of limited physical abilities. You’ll need to line up post-stroke care for your loved one in their home once they are released from the hospital or recovery center. 

What Are Strokes?

When the brain is deprived of blood due to a blocked blood vessel or a burst vessel, it is a stroke. Because the blood flow to the brain is blocked off during this time, certain brain cells die. Depending on the length of blockage and the side of the brain, the stroke can affect a person’s physical and mental abilities in different ways.

Even with mild strokes, an aging adult’s physical abilities are affected Common after-effects include partial paralysis of the face and body, problems swallowing and speaking, poor vision, loss of balance, fatigue, memory problems and incontinence. Working with a team of doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists and more, elderly adults have a long road to recovery ahead of them.

Recovery After a Stroke

bigstock-Nurse-Talking-To-Senior-Male-P-102021836-(2).jpgStrokes can range from mild to severe, and each level has different recovery times. Seniors suffering a mild stroke may regain most of their previous abilities while those with severe post-stroke symptoms may never be able to live independently again. Whether for a few months or for many years, nearly all the daily tasks seniors used to do on their own will be affected and they will require different levels of help.

Family caregivers can step in and help elderly adults where they can, but most people have other commitments to take care of, such as a job or children. Many families look at hiring elderly care providers, so their aging relative is in the care of trained professionals while staying in their own home. Elderly care providers may be the ideal solution to the problems seniors face in post-stroke recovery.

How Elderly Care Providers Can Help

There are plenty of ways that elderly care providers can help with post-stroke recovery. Besides helping with daily self-care like bathing, grooming and dressing, elderly care providers can keep the house neat and clean with light housework and laundry. Many elderly adults have follow-up doctor’s appointments but can no longer drive. Elderly care providers can provide transportation and run some errands on their behalf, too. Best of all, the elderly care provider is present in the home with the aging adult as a companion and is there in case of emergencies.

The life of an aging adult will never be the same after a stroke. However, recovering at home is much easier and safer with an elderly care provider. Family caregivers will feel much better knowing their elderly loved one is in good hands while they face months and years of recovery.

IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING ELDERLY CARE IN OAK PARK, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE LA GRANGE. CALL TODAY: 708-551-2500.