The Prognosis and Rehabilitation Options for Stroke Victims

When your elderly loved one suffers a stroke, it’s a traumatic experience for the whole family. However, it is important to understand that the prognosis for stroke victims is highly positive, so long as the individual receives medical attention in a timely manner. As soon as the signs of a stroke appear, that family needs to get their senior to the hospital immediately. 

According to those specializing in elder care, Iowa families should look out for these common signs of a stroke: 

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arms, legs, or on one side of the body
• Confusion
• Trouble speaking or understanding what others are saying
• Dizziness
• Sudden, severe headaches

Other symptoms include drooping on one side of the face, issues with motor skills and coordination, and loss of control over limbs. When these symptoms occur, senior care professionals explain that it is essential that the individual gets treatment right away. Studies show that immediate treatment helps to lessen the long-term impact of the stroke.

Rehabilitation options after a stroke

The rehabilitation process typically begins in the hospital as soon as possible once the stroke has occurred. Those who are stabilized will typically begin the recovery process just two or three days after the stroke. In order to make the recovery last, the patient will need to continue with a regular rehabilitation routine. 

There is a number of different places where post-stroke treatment can occur, including:

• A rehabilitation unit in the hospital
• A specialized rehabilitation hospital
• Via outpatient therapy administered at home
• A long-term care facility

The ultimate goal of rehabilitation, no matter how or where it is administered, is to help the senior to improve their function so that they can live a high quality life. Depending on the severity of the stroke, this may include helping the elderly individual to relearn how to eat, dress themselves, walk, and talk. 

A stroke is a devastating experience that can strip a person’s sense of independence. However, with a strict rehabilitation regimen given by highly trained professionals, a senior will be able to slowly rebuild the life they once enjoyed. Family members must work closely with their elderly loved one to ensure they are getting the care they need to make a recovery after a stroke has taken place. Professionals who care for seniors can help.  

The Key Signs of Memory Loss

As a person ages, it is natural for their memory to fail to be as sharp as it once was. However, when this memory loss starts to impede daily functioning it may be the sign of a condition such as dementia. According to dementia care professionals, some of the major signs that your senior’s memory loss is no longer part of the normal aging process include:

It disrupts their daily life

If your senior forgets important dates or consistently asks the same questions over and over, they may be dealing with the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia. If they must get help from others doing tasks they once accomplished on their own, this can also be a warning sign of a memory-related condition.

Issues with problem solving

According to Alzheimer’s care professionals, if your elderly loved one has problems following a recipe or keeping track of their monthly bills, they may be experiencing early signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Problems attending to daily chores or frequent tasks

Those who are facing Alzheimer’s often have issues driving to a frequently visited spot, remembering the rules of a favorite game, or recalling how to use common household appliances like the microwave or toaster.

Trouble with time and place

When it comes to dementia care, Cedar Valley professionals explain that many patients struggle with understanding time or place. They may forget where they are or fail to remember how they got there. Additionally, they may have issues understanding something if it is not happening in the present moment, and may lose track of the passage of time altogether.

Struggles with language

A person who is dealing with a memory-related condition may have difficulty conversing with others. They will lose their train of thought in the middle of a sentence and be unable to continue. They will repeat themselves without realizing it, or call common objects by the wrong name. They may also have issues recalling the names of close friends or family members.

Keep in mind that some degree of memory loss is a normal part of the aging process. If a person sometimes forgets the day of the week or a person’s name, there is nothing to panic about. However, if this behavior becomes consistent or disruptive, it is time to consult with a medical professional.

Why Choose Home Care For Your Senior?

Many elderly individuals value their independence and personal living space, but may not be able to manage the daily chores that are required in order to keep a home running. They may struggle with food preparation or driving or remembering to take their medication. For this reason, home care can become enormously beneficial. It allows your senior to enjoy the familiarity of home, without burdening them with tasks that they may not have the desire or ability to complete.

When you hire a home care professional to work with your senior, you’re ensuring that their home is clean, errands are attended to, and that they are able to make it to doctors’ appointments on time. It provides you with peace of mind, while allowing your elderly loved one to stay where they feel most comfortable.

The benefits of home care

There are a number of other perks for those who invest in home care. Such benefits include:

Highly personalized care

In assisted living facilities, caregivers are stretched thin. Because of this, you may start to worry about whether your loved one is actually getting the attention they need to thrive. This is not the case when you hire a home care professional. This person will show up at your senior’s door, ready to focus 100 percent of their attention on your elderly loved one. You can rest assured that they are getting the care they need to live a high quality life.

A chance for the family to get involved

When it comes to elder care services, Iowa families explain that they love regular communication with their senior care professional. There are no guessing games about how the elderly individual is doing or where they need help. Family members are always kept in the loop about their senior’s well being. This is often hard to find at a nursing home, when staff members are constantly running around trying to care for numerous patients.

When it comes to home care, Cedar Valley eldercare professionals explain that families love knowing that their senior is safe and happy, while residing in their own living space. The elderly individual can enjoy their morning coffee in their favorite spot or curl up with a good book, while still knowing that their fridge will be full and that their medications will be administered on time.