Recovering from a stroke is a complicated process that often lasts for years, but the first three months are going to be the most important. During that time, your senior loved one will need to carefully follow a comprehensive treatment plan if he or she wants to avoid long-term complications. What takes place during that time is also going to have a huge impact on the risk of having a second stroke, which is why your loved one must be dedicated to the recovery plan.
Immediately After the Stroke
When your loved one first arrives at the hospital, the medical team’s primary job will be stabilization. Once your loved one has been stabilized and is out of immediate danger, the team will then try to figure out exactly what type of stroke took place. If the hospital has a stroke unit, your loved one will be taken to that area as soon as it’s safe to do so. For ischemic strokes caused by clots, seniors are usually given clot-busting drugs. In the event of hemorrhagic strokes, seniors almost always undergo surgery.
The First Few Days
Every senior recovers at his or her own pace, but most stroke survivors can leave the hospital within a few days. During the hospital stay, the medical team is going to carefully monitor all your loved one’s vital signs. He or she might also undergo secondary treatments to keep the brain and cardiovascular system healthy. After your loved one has recovered for a short time, the medical team will try to help him or her move around. Walking and changing positions can greatly reduce the risk of developing a blood clot.
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 Vancouver 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.
Hospital Discharge
Your loved one won’t be discharged from the hospital until the medical team has decided he or she is healthy enough to be moved. Where your loved one goes from there depends on a few different factors. If the stroke wasn’t severe and there aren’t any secondary health problems, your loved one might be able to go home. That being said, the vast majority of survivors head to inpatient facilities or nursing centers. At these facilities, stroke survivors undergo quite a bit of rehabilitation. They usually meet with therapists at least five or six days a week, and they might have to exercise multiple times a day.
If your loved one is able to return home, he or she will likely need assistance for at least a short time. 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. Vancouver, BC, 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.
The Following Months
The first two or three months of recovery are going to be the most intensive, and your loved one must carefully follow the treatment plan. If your loved one is at home, he or she is probably going to have a few at-home medical visits and training sessions every week. Your loved one must also watch what he or she eats during recovery. A stroke can impact the ability to chew and swallow, and your loved one will most likely need to follow a strict diet for at least 12 weeks.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of senior home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. Rely on the professionals at Home Care Assistance to provide high-quality compassionate care for your loved one. Give us a call today at (778) 279-3634 to learn about our flexible in-home care plans.