Your Loved One Has Had A Stroke, Now What Do You Do?

After hospitalization, we are faced with the reality that our loved one is different, there may be minor changes or major changes preventing them from communicating clearly, walking, standing, turning themselves over and more. How can we take care of them? Can I do this alone? Should I put them into a facility? Should I sell our home or take out another mortgage? All of these questions and more come flooding into our minds causing fear and overwhelm. AstraCare can provide you with the easiest decision, which is allow AstraCare to help you care for your loved one, safely in their own home.

How Can Astracare Help You Or A Loved One Recover From A Stroke?

Hire A Company With A Team Of Highly Skilled And Caring Professionals

The most essential tool in your recovery is choosing a highly skilled in-home care team capable of implementing all essential tools to support, encourage and assist with all of the in-home recovery. At AstraCare we provide the most qualified, trained and caring health care professionals available for 24-hours a day, 12-hours daily or whatever your needs are. AstraCare will work with your physicians and hospital professionals from the moment of discharge in order to arrange a seamless transition back to your home.

Understand And Implement The Modifications Necessary To Safely Transition Your Loved One Back Into The Home

AstraCare’s team of highly skilled professionals will work with social services in order to safely modify your home. AstraCare will coordinate with an Occupational Therapist to make all necessary and safe modifications; such as, does the patient need a hospital bed? Do we need to remove excess furniture for a more open passageway? All of these modifications can be supervised and implemented by our professional staff. AstraCare will make sure we have bathroom bars, a walker and or cane, wheelchair if needed.

Understand Rehabilitation Goals As Prescribed

Studies show that more than 4 million stroke survivors experience difficulty walking making it essential to implement an in-home rehabilitation program as soon as possible; it is extremely important to have the most qualified team surrounding you. Your AstraCare team will follow your doctors prescribed plan of treatment which may include physical, occupational and or speech therapy. Following the routine, keeping all appointments and reinforcing in-home strength and balance training with your AstraCare professional can shorten the length of time for your recovery.

Emotional Support

It is essential to remember that not only does the stroke patient experience fear and grief of their unknown future and the changes in their body, but their loved ones may experience fear and grief as well. Being cared for in your home by AstraCare is an added benefit to the stroke patient, who can feel safe in a familiar, non-threatening environment which can help the patient maintain a positive attitude helping them recover some skills more quickly. It can also, help their loved ones maintain a positive attitude. Keep an open line of communication; talk about the changes, your fears, worries and needs. It is not uncommon for a stroke survivor to fall into a depression, so speak with your medical professional about the possibilities of medication or therapy. An AstraCare trained professional will observe the mood of your loved one daily, will engage them in safe conversations and support them at their weakest moments. It may be necessary for the patient or loved ones to find outside resources, such as support groups for additional support and guidance.

Healthy Lifestyle And Diet

Strokes can be a direct result of an unhealthy lifestyle, stress or bad eating habits, so it’s important to meet with your doctor to decide on a healthy diet that will work in preventing secondary strokes, reduce high cholesterol and help lower blood pressure. Your AstraCare professional will help with grocery shopping, meal preparation, serving food and, if needed, feeding. Reducing the amount of fat and sodium will be strictly observed while encouraging healthy foods and adequate fluids. Encouraging your doctor prescribed daily exercises can facilitate a speedier recovery and lower the chances of future strokes. The risk of a second stroke or TIA remain high for the first 5 years, so having your AstraCare aide be trained in the signs to watch for is imperative.

RN Supervision

Once you make the decision to go with the highly skilled team at AstraCare our Registered Nurse is involved with all aspects of care. AstraCare’s RN will immediately communicate with the loved ones to help them adjust to the changes in their lives. A free, confidential nursing assessment, history and medication review is provided and a copy of the medication sheet is left in the home. This medication sheet can be brought along to all medical visits as well as assist our AstraCare team and family. A Plan of Care is done by the RN in conjunction with the doctor and left in the home to help the caregiver. The AstraCare RN is available by phone 24 hours-a-day or for necessary in-home visits. AstraCare’s RN can help find and make appointments with specialty doctors, or can provide comforting support to the stroke survivor and their loved ones. At AstraCare you are not alone during this time and our RN can help you navigate through the journey.

Risk Factors for a Stroke

A stroke is a serious medical condition which is caused by poor blood flow to the brain which then causes death to the brain cells.

Ischemic, due to a loss of blood flow. This can be treated with medication, that can break down the clot if detected within three to four and half hours.

Hemorrhagic, which is due to bleeding in the brain, is caused by either bleeding directly into the brain or into the space between the brain’s membranes. Both of these may cause parts of the brain to stop functioning properly.

TIA’s (Transient Ischemic Attack) which is also referred to as a “mini-stroke” presenting with symptoms that may last a few minutes but less than 1-2 hours and leave no long-term permanent damage to the brain; however a TIA may be a warning that a stroke is eminent or is an opportunity to prevent a future stroke.

High Blood Pressure
Smoking Tobacco
Obesity
High Blood Cholesterol
Diabetes Mellitus
Previous TIA
End-stage Kidney Disease

AstraCare’s Caregivers are trained to be on the lookout for signs of another stroke since survivors are at risk.

Signs and symptoms of a stroke may include:

An inability to move or feel on one side of the body.
Problems understanding or speaking.
Dizziness, or loss of vision to one side.
Headache.

The Gold Standards For Signs Of A Stroke Follow The Acronym
B.E.F.A.S.T.

Balance, watching our patients gait while standing or walking, noticing if they lean toward one side could be an indicator of a problem.

Eyes, noticing if one eyelid is closing, does the person complain of visual disturbances in one of both eyes?

Face, is one side of the face lower than the other? Is there equal symmetry when the person smiles?

Arm, does the person have weakness in an arm of leg, are they able to move those extremities, or is the arm just hanging down by their side?

Speech, has their speech become slurred, do they say things that don’t make sense or do they look blankly at you when you ask a question?

Terrible Headache, it’s the worst headache of the person’s life the head is banging, it’s intolerable.

Personalized Place Of Care For The Stroke Patient Includes:

Get the necessary testing: Physical Exam, Medical Imaging MRI, and CT scan to rule out bleeding.
Ask a doctor, nurse or therapist to answer your questions about what to expect.
Find out if your home should be modified to meet the needs of the stroke patient.
Talk with an OT for house modification recommendations.
Have a physical and or occupational therapist evaluation done.
Encourage daily rehabilitation exercise as prescribed by the physical and or occupational therapists.
Observe for: dizziness; imbalance that results in falls; difficulty walking or moving around daily.
Support stroke patient with activities of daily living.

Make sure your loved one eats a healthy diet.
Takes medications as prescribed.
Visit their healthcare provider regularly.
Prevent falls. Falls after stroke are common.
Keep a record of side effects from medication and supplements.
Maintain and organize patient’s medical records.
Observe stroke side effects and behavioral changes.
Be on the lookout for new stroke signs. Survivors are at high risk of having another stroke.
Monitor blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and stress levels.
Maintain communication with doctors and the care team.

RN CARE MANAGER

Comprehensive Support with AstraCare

RN Involvement: Continuous oversight of all aspects of care by a Registered Nurse.
24/7 Access: AstraCare RN is available by phone or for in-home visits, ensuring around-the-clock support.
Medical Expertise: Extensive medical knowledge to answer questions and resolve issues as they arise.
Comprehensive Assessments: Includes nursing assessments, medical history, and medication reviews.
Personalized Plan of Care: Developed in conjunction with the doctor and kept in the home for easy access.
Coordination of Care: Assistance with scheduling appointments with specialty doctors and organizing medications.
Emotional Support: Providing comforting support to both you and your loved one throughout the care journey.

With AstraCare, you are never alone; our RN is here to help you navigate
through every step of the journey.

You Can Always Rely On Us

AstraCare is dedicated to providing personalized care services of the highest standard,
with our caring and compassionate staff ready to meet your individual needs with respect and dignity.

Quality of Life is Our Priority.

AstraCare strives to offer the best in personalized care services. Whatever your exact needs are, our caring and compassionate staff are here for you.

Contact Us

SubmitClick Here

Call Us Today

Call Us Today

Your Loved One Has Had A Stroke, Now What Do You Do?