When an older adult has a stroke, they need immediate medical attention to save their life and minimize damage done by the stroke. The time spent in the hospital can be confusing. There’s a lot of activity in the first few hours as the doctors work to stabilize the senior’s condition. And, in the days that follow, hospital staff will continue to monitor the older adult’s health and work with them to begin recovery. Understanding what goes on in the hospital can take some of the confusion out of the situation.
In the Emergency Department
When the senior enters the emergency department, the hospital staff will work quickly to determine what kind of stroke has occurred and what needs to be done to protect brain cells. During the initial time in the hospital, the goals of treatment are:
- Stabilizing: Hospital staff will work to stabilize symptoms, including breathing, heart function, blood pressure, and bleeding.
- Diagnosis: Doctors will use a variety of tests to diagnose the kind of stroke the older adult has had. Tests may include a brain scan to see if the stroke was caused by a clot or bleeding and what part of the brain has been impacted.
- Treatment: The initial treatment of the stroke will depend on the kind of stroke the senior has had.
About two thirds of people who suffer a stroke stay in the hospital for at least a few days. How long your older family member will remain in the hospital depends on their condition and the care that they need. Doctors will likely start the senior on medications to prevent another stroke, such as blood thinners.
Stroke Rehabilitation
Stroke rehab usually starts while the older adult is still in the hospital. Hospital staff will coordinate with family members and the patient to figure out the best option for stroke rehabilitation. Rehab may occur in an inpatient setting, at outpatient facilities, at home, or in a skilled nursing facility. During rehab, the senior will work with various specialists who will help them relearn skills, such as speech, swallowing, daily activities, movement, and activities they enjoyed before the stroke.
If your older family member has suffered a stroke, elderly care can help them while they recover. Elderly care providers can come to the senior’s home to assist them throughout the day with all of their non-medical needs. Elderly care providers can help them to dress, eat, bathe, and use the bathroom. They can also help with tasks around the house, such as cleaning, cooking, making beds, and doing laundry.
Sources
https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-stroke/diagnosis-to-discharge
https://www.stroke.org.uk/sites/default/files/When%20a%20stroke%20happens_0.pdf
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/stroke/recovery-and-support/stroke-care/first-few-days
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/in-depth/stroke-rehabilitation/art-20045172
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED-ONE ARE CONSIDERING ELDERLY CARE IN RALEIGH, NC, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS TODAY. CALL (919) 761-5346.