Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is cut off, and this can happen for several different reasons. In some cases, a weakened blood vessel ruptures and the bleeding causes damage to the tissue in the brain. Other types of strokes involve blood clots that block the supply of oxygen and nutrients to nerve cells, causing them to die off. Once either type of stroke occurs, it’s critical to act quickly to stop the worst effects. Knowing more about how strokes change seniors’ brains can help you understand what your aging loved one is going through and how to help.
How the Brain Changes after a Stroke
A minor stroke causes minimal changes within the brain. Transient ischemic attacks are a type of stroke that may only last for a few minutes. Unlike other types of strokes, these attacks don’t cause lasting changes to the brain, but they should be taken as a warning sign that your loved one needs to take a good look at how to boost his or her health. Other types of strokes can cause lesions in the brain that contribute to the death of neural synapses needed for proper cognitive and motor function.
Stroke survivors who recover at home often need help with the everyday tasks of life. Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading home care service agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
Why Strokes Have Different Effects
People often wonder why one person may have difficulty walking after a stroke, while someone else may have issues with speech. The symptoms caused by a stroke depend on the part of the brain it affects. For instance, someone who has blood flow cut off to the part of the brain that manages speech may also have difficulty with tasks such as understanding what other people say. After a stroke, your loved one’s medical team can perform tests to see where the lesion occurred in the brain to determine what types of effects should be expected.
The effects of a stroke can make it difficult for seniors to live at home safely without a caregiver close by at all times. Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Lincoln live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Home Care Assistance to enhance his or her quality of life.
What to Expect after a Stroke
Once a stroke is identified, medical professionals start administering therapies designed to minimize the impact on the brain. For instance, medication that breaks up blood clots can halt an ischemic stroke if it’s given soon enough. Breaking up blood clots can stop the process of cellular death within the brain and increase the chances of a better recovery.
How to Increase the Chances of a Good Recovery
Following a stroke, the main concern is to begin rebuilding and healing the areas of the brain that were impacted by the lack of blood supply, which often means taking medicine and making lifestyle changes to prevent a second stroke that could slow down recovery. Fairly soon after their health is stabilized, seniors will also begin therapy, which consists of doing special physical and mental exercises that rebuild and strengthen neural connections within the brain. These therapies only work well when they’re done on a consistent basis, which is why seniors who receive support at home have the best chances of healing their brains.
A senior stroke survivor often needs very specialized care from someone with experience in providing support during stroke recovery. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality at-home care, Lincoln Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at (916) 226-3737 today.