How To Help Seniors After a Stroke

A stroke is a severe medical issue affecting the brain. People have strokes when one of two things occurs:

• Lack of oxygen and nutrients due to insufficient blood flow causes brain cells to die
• Brain cells are damaged because of a brain bleed

Suffering a stroke can be fatal or result in permanent disabilities or brain damage. Since the risk of suffering a stroke increases with age, seniors have a higher risk of stroke, and they are more likely to need post-traumatic injury care. Since seniors are more likely to have other health issues, you may wonder how to care for a senior after a stroke.

Understanding how to restore a senior’s health after a stroke and utilizing the best stroke recovery tips for elderly patients can facilitate your senior loved one’s stroke recovery and increase their chances of restoring most or all of their abilities.

Contact Monument Health Group to learn about care options for a senior recovering from a stroke

What Are the Key Steps in Helping a Senior Recover From a Stroke?

Effective senior stroke care begins with prompt treatment, which reduces the risk of permanent symptoms. Calling 911 or taking your senior loved one to the hospital immediately is crucial.

Medical professionals may treat a lack of blood flow with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or use blood pressure medication if the cause is a brain bleed. A medical professional must confirm the reason for the stroke and determine the best course of action.

Once your loved one is stabilized and the doctor has conclusive test results, they can advise you on the type of stroke rehabilitation required.

What Are the Best Rehabilitation Methods for Seniors After a Stroke?

You can support your elderly loved one after a stroke with appropriate rehabilitative care. You can discuss recommended rehabilitative therapy for your loved one’s needs with their provider. Standard rehabilitative therapies used include occupational, physical, and speech therapy.

How Can Caregivers or Family Members Support Seniors With Rehabilitation After a Stroke? 

Caregivers or family members can support seniors after a stroke by locating therapists, scheduling appointments, and providing transportation.

Loved ones can provide additional support by paying copay or deductible fees or confirming which services Medicare covers.

Supporting Seniors With Occupational Therapy After a Stroke 

Occupational therapy stimulates cognitive functions and helps individuals regain the fine motor skills needed to do things like buttoning shirts and brushing their teeth. Effective elderly stroke support involves an occupational therapist assessing your loved one and developing a customized treatment plan to address their needs. 

Caregivers and family members can provide additional support by helping seniors independently perform exercises and complete relevant tasks.

Supporting Seniors With Physical Therapy After a Stroke

Physical therapy improves an individual’s mobility and range of motion. Physical therapists use treatment plans to help patients relearn how to walk or learn how to use assistive devices, such as walkers. 

Caregivers and family members can help seniors complete daily exercises to support their recovery and mobility. They can also add appropriate activities to their schedule, such as going for a walk or swimming. 

Supporting Seniors With Speech Therapy After a Stroke 

Speech therapists help people relearn how to speak or address issues with swallowing. They use exercises to help strengthen the stroke victim’s mouth and tongue so they can form sounds correctly, improving their communication. Speech therapy is part of cognitive therapy because it helps stimulate brain activity.

Seniors benefit from caregivers and family members who give them time to form words and sentences, helping them regain their ability to communicate.

Are There Specific Dietary Changes That Can Aid in Stroke Recovery for Seniors?  

Dietary changes can help seniors recover after a stroke. Recommended dietary changes include the following:

• Consume a high-fiber diet
• Eat whole grains
• Increase consumption of fruit and vegetables
• Increase consumption of lean meats such as poultry
• Reduce intake of fat
• Reduce intake of processed food
• Reduce intake of red meat
• Reduce intake of salt
• Reduce intake of sugar

What Are the Emotional Challenges Seniors Face After a Stroke, and How Can You Help? 

Providing effective emotional support for seniors after a stroke is crucial. Depending on the severity of their post-stroke symptoms, they may have limited mobility and difficulty communicating. When paired with increased reliance on caregivers and loss of their independence, mobility and communication issues can cause depression, frustration, and social isolation.

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is one option for treating post-stroke depression. You can also prevent social isolation by scheduling social activities with your loved one’s peers and providing transportation to places they enjoy visiting, such as coffee shops, church, or the library.

You can also provide emotional support by listening. Respect your loved one’s wishes and find ways to compromise to address their needs and wants. Let them know they still have a voice and can participate in decisions about their future.

Long-Term Care Options Available for Seniors After a Stroke 

Short-term rehabilitation, post-hospital care, and long-term care are options for post-stroke care. Those requiring more therapy and ongoing medical care may need long-term care. Long-term care options include elderly care facilities and skilled nursing homes. There are also home care options for seniors recovering from a stroke, which involve having home health and personal care aides provide health and personal care in the senior’s home. Personal care aides may also look after housekeeping and meal prep. 

How Can You Create a Safe Environment at Home for a Senior Recovering From a Stroke? 

Depending on your loved one’s needs, you may need to relocate their bedroom to the main floor so they don’t have to climb stairs. Installing safety bars in the bathroom can reduce the risk of falls. Improving lighting, fixing loose carpets or flooring, and removing obstacles that may impair their mobility can also improve their safety at home. 

What Are the Best Rehabilitation Centers for Seniors After a Stroke in Salt Lake City? 

Monument Health Group in Millcreek provides exceptional care for seniors recovering from a stroke. Our Millcreek skilled nursing facility provides personal and medical care. It also offers essential rehabilitative services such as occupational and physical therapy.

Learn more about Monument Health Group’s skilled nursing facility in Salt Lake City

What Are the Best Rehabilitation Centers in Bountiful for Seniors After a Stroke? 

Monument Health Group is the best skilled nursing facility in Bountiful, Utah. Our skilled nursing facility delivers onsite speech, physical and occupational therapy, and round-the-clock medical care. 

After-Stroke Care for Senior Loved Ones

Monument Health Group simplifies post-stroke care by providing essential services in one location. Our medical professionals provide expert care, helping each person regain their abilities and independence after their stroke.

Get directions to Monument Health Group’s Bountiful location and plan your visit today

Sources:

About Stroke. (2024). 

Occupational Therapists. (2024). 

Stroke Treatment. (2023). 

Zimlich, R. (2022). Is Your Risk of Having a Stroke Different Based on Your Age Range?