Every Stroke survivor is a unique individual, which impacts what you can expect for your senior loved one’s recovery. For instance, medical professionals assess specific factors, such as where the stroke occurred in the brain, before giving estimates on stroke recovery for individual seniors. Naturally, you need to keep this in mind as you put together your loved one’s care plan, but it also helps to understand the average time scale involved with stroke recovery.
Minimizing Long-Term Symptoms
One of the factors that affects stroke recovery is whether your loved one got help right away. The first three hours after a stroke are considered to be a critical time window when a person may be able to receive medication that minimizes the long-term effects of the stroke. Seniors should always have at least three people they can call to help them seek medical attention if they notice the signs of a stroke so they can increase the chances of getting medical help within this window of time.
Understanding the First Three Months
The official starting point for stroke recovery begins the moment your loved one’s health status is stable. You’ll likely notice the medical team begin to develop a plan for therapy within the first 24 hours because seniors make the most gains within the first three months, and every minute counts when it comes to maximizing the prospects for recovery. Your loved one will be prescribed therapeutic services in the hospital to help with recovering motor skills and speech and language abilities. He or she will likely stay in the hospital for a few weeks and then be discharged to finish out the first three months at home.
As you plan for your loved one’s return home, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Families looking for top-rated Dallas senior care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
Preventing Setbacks and Regression
The first six months of stroke recovery are when most people make their greatest gains. These gains tend to peak around the three-month mark and slow down slightly afterward. Although it’s exciting to see your loved one be able to go home, it’s also important to remember he or she isn’t fully healed. Many setbacks occur when families fail to protect against things such as falls or forget to make transportation arrangements to therapy appointments. Be vigilant as you set up your loved one’s care plan, making sure he or she has the appropriate types of support in place.
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. Dallas, TX, 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.
Moving Beyond the First Year
By the end of the first year, your loved one should have regained the majority of his or her abilities. However, he or she may still continue to get better well into the second year after having a stroke. During this time, never assume your loved one is finished recovering. With the right types of support and care, your loved one can strengthen his or her memory and mobility. Make sure to continue to help at home with tasks your loved one has difficulty with so he or she can continue to work on getting stronger.
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 elderly 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. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (214) 363-3400 to learn about the high quality of our in-home stroke care services.
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