Stroke Care

Recovering from a stroke can be difficult and emotional for both the patient and his or her family. Stroke victims often find it challenging to adjust to life with new disabilities that may have occurred as a result of the stroke. Aunt Ann’s Home Care in San Francisco has compiled a list of resources to help you and your loved ones understand stroke recovery and learn how to adjust to any new ways of life.

What to Expect:

The abilities and functionality that are lost due to stroke will depend on the type and severity of the stroke itself. Most stroke victims experience a sudden onset of dizziness, blurred vision, slurred speech, severe headaches, numbness, partial paralysis on one side of the body, and impaired balance or coordination. While symptoms may vary, here are a few things to expect during stroke recovery:

  • A medication regimen to control and reduce any risk factors—anti-clotting medication, aspirin, blood pressure medication, etc.–based on the doctor’s assessment
  • Dietary changes to decrease sodium, fat and sugar intake and manage any weight issues
  • Other lifestyle changes such as getting more sleep, quitting smoking, incorporating an exercise routine, and other recommendations from the doctor

Many effects of a stroke will improve over time, but some can be permanent. The doctor may suggest physical therapy or stroke rehab programs to help during the healing process.

Home Care for Stroke Recovery:

There are so many aspects of stroke care and recovery that it can seem overwhelming. In-home care can help stroke patients manage their therapy and perform activities of daily living while they focus on healing.

 

Aunt Ann’s Home Care has a staff of qualified, professional caregivers who can provide hourly or live-in care for clients in need of stroke care. Additionally, Aunt Ann’s certified home health aides and certified nurse’s aides can provide services such as:

 

  • Home modifications to help clients with mobility issues caused by stroke move throughout their home easier
  • Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, etc.)
  • Transportation to and from doctors’ appointments
  • Medication reminders

Talking to the Doctor:

Treatment and rehabilitation after stroke is a very important part of recovery, as it helps rebuild strength and coordination that may have been lost as a result of the stroke. The doctor will be able to assess the severity of the stroke and create a course of medication and rehabilitation to help regain as much of the lost functions as possible. Some questions to ask include:

1. Which of my functions have been compromised by the stroke?

  • Intellectual
  • Language
  • Sensory
  • Motor
  • Will I regain these functions?

2. What types of rehabilitation programs will I need? Knowing what to expect from rehabilitation can help prepare for the road ahead. Questions to ask:

  • Will I require physical or speech therapy?
  • Will you be in contact with my therapists?
  • What will likely happen without treatment?

3. What medications are available to me?

  • What are the benefits or side effects of these medicines?
  • Will they interact with other medications I am taking?

4. What lifestyle changes should I make to reduce my risk of having a second stroke?

  • Should I begin an exercise routine?
  • What dietary changes should I make?

 

Services to Consider:

Recovering from a stroke can be challenging, but having assistance around the home can help patients receive the rest and reassurance they need in order to heal. At Aunt Ann’s Home Care, we provide a wide variety of in-home care services to help our clients maintain a high quality of life in the home as they recover. Through our experience in caring for clients who are recovering from a stroke, we have found that the following services are ones to consider:

  • Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming)
  • Housekeeping, transportation to and from treatments, etc.
  • Home modifications
  • Medication reminders
  • Respite care to relieve family caregivers

At Aunt Ann’s Home Care, we can tailor a specific plan of in-home care to meet each client’s individual needs.

 

Resources:

If you would like more information about stroke recovery, we have compiled a few downloadable resource sheets and website resources that we hope will help you learn more about the effects of stroke and treatments available.

Downloadable Tools and Tips:
Click the links to view or right click to print or save to your computer.

Web Resources:

Click the links below to access resource Web sites to find out more about Stroke Care.

National Stroke Association - An educational site including information on Stroke Prevention, Stroke Risk Factors, and Stroke Symptoms.

The Stroke Awareness Foundation – An organization whose mission is to improve community awareness of stroke and its treatment through advocacy, education and public awareness programs in the community.

Stroke Awareness for Everyone – Support designed for stroke survivors and their families, in addition to doctors, nurses and therapists involved with stroke.

American Stroke Association – This site includes information about the causes and effects of stroke, support for stroke survivors, as well as resources for healthcare professionals.

American Heart Association – This site includes information on all cardiovascular diseases, their warning signs, and prevention.

The Stroke Network – Support designed for stroke survivors and their caregivers of adult stroke.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - This site includes information on all medical conditions as well as useful resources for healthcare providers.

Triple Threat Challenge – This site includes information on the combined cardiovascular threats of High levels of LDL, Low levels of HDL, and High levels of Triglycerides.

The American Geriatrics Society – Information on Stroke Awareness and Prevention for geriatric patients.

Care for life begins with information. At Aunt Ann’s Home Care we believe that education and understanding pave the way for quality care. To learn more about any of the subjects listed on our site, or to ask a specific related care question, call us at 415.974.3530 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 415.974.3530 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or 650.757.2000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 650.757.2000 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, or contact us. Our team will be happy to educate you or your loved one on a variety of care-related subjects as well as provide a FREE home consultation to discuss our services and your or your loved one’s needs.