4 Ways Life For Seniors Changes After A Stroke

June 22, 2022 by ·

After your senior loved one has had a stroke they may have a hard time adjusting to all the changes that they will need to make. Your senior parent may need extensive rehabilitation. And they might have to make some big lifestyle changes. On top of that they may be afraid after having just been through such a huge medical crisis. In order to help your senior loved one get through the time of transition that comes after a stroke you should try to be patient and as understanding as you can be with them. Your senior loved one might be irritable or lash out if they are having a hard time adjusting. Keep in mind that they are facing big changes like:

Needing Help With Basic Tasks

Elder Care Chickasaw, AL: Changes After Stokes

Elder Care Chickasaw, AL: Changes After Stokes

One of the hardest things for many seniors to accept after a stroke is needing help, especially needing help with personal care like getting to the bathroom, showering, and getting dressed. But seniors also struggle with having to ask for help to get a glass of water, or change the channel on the TV. Elder care can help seniors who need extra help at home. When they have elder care at home seniors don’t need to be so reliant on  you, and that can help them feel more independent. Maintaining their sense of independence can be very important in their recovery after a stroke. 

Having To Make Lifestyle Changes With No Grace Period

Making big lifestyle change is hard. And it’s even harder when you can’t ease into those changes or make small changes over time. Seniors are thrust into a new lifestyle without being given anytime to adjust because they must immediately start making healthy adjustments to their lifestyle in order to lower the risk of having another stroke. Your senior parent will suddenly have to eat better, exercise, and generally life a healthier lifestyle right after being released from the hospital. So if your senior loved one is a little cranky with you try to be patient. Imagine how you’d feel in the same situation and be kind.

Accepting Long Lasting Health Changes

Seniors often fully recover from strokes, but sometimes there is permanent paralysis or permanent damage after a stroke. Your previously totally independent senior loved one may need to learn how to accept help, or use a walker, or accept that they won’t be able to talk as well as they used to. There are a lot of permanent health problems can result from a stroke that seniors will struggle to get used to. Give your senior parent some time to process their feelings about these changes. 

Dealing With Uncertainty 

Your senior loved one may also be feeling uncertain about the future after surviving a stroke. They may be scared of the future, or scared of having another stroke. Be gentle and kind to them if they seem angry, irritable, or frightened for awhile after they are released from the hospital. They are trying to process a lot of emotions and they might take those emotions out on you sometimes.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care in Chickasaw, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

Filed Under: Seniors and Health Issues · Tagged: ,
About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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