Stroke symptoms can strike suddenly, and damage to the brain can happen within minutes. Yet recovery from a stroke can be a lengthy process that requires hard work, perseverance, and commitment. It also requires patience because complete recovery after a stroke may take months or years. An assisted living facility could be the most appropriate setting for an older loved one who is a stroke survivor. Call 214.225.6197 to speak with someone from the caring and compassionate staff at Ventana about assisted living after a stroke and our rehabilitation services for seniors in Texas.
How Does Assisted Living After a Stroke Work?
Assisted living after a stroke offers individuals a more independent living setting in a safe environment with rehabilitative care, all to improve their overall quality of life and return them to their pre-stroke lives as much as possible. Assisted living facilities also provide family members with great reassurance and peace of mind. Family members know their loved one is cared for by healthcare professionals in a setting specifically designed for their unique needs.
Older adults who are stroke survivors may need assistance with personal care and activities of daily living. Often, stroke patients struggle with their activities of daily living (ADLs). The best solution is to reside in an assisted living facility during recovery after a stroke.
What Are ADLs and Why Do They Matter After a Stroke?
The activities of daily living are the basics of personal care. They allow individuals to care for their bodies and enable basic survival and well-being. The main ADLs are the following:
- Eating
- Transferring
- Bathing
- Toileting
- Dressing
- Grooming
After a stroke, the survivor may be unable to hold a fork well enough to feed themselves, brush their teeth, or rise out of a chair and walk to the bathroom. The goal of rehabilitation is to help the individual relearn the ADLs they may have lost the ability to perform and regain independence. Occupational therapy can help people relearn how to perform these ADLs to transition back to everyday life successfully. Physical therapy can improve mobility by strengthening muscles and balance, and bringing back or improving the range of motion. Speech therapy can help patients regain their ability to communicate, a condition known as aphasia. It’s estimated that losing the ability to speak or understand speech affects 40% of stroke patients to some degree.
When Does Assisted Living After a Stroke Make Sense?
After the stroke occurs, caregivers, spouses, adult children, and even the survivor will have many questions—such as:
- What do stroke recovery and the rehabilitation process look like?
- What types of rehabilitation will be needed?
- How do you choose the right rehabilitative environment?
- Will physical, occupational, or speech therapy be needed?
- How much medical care and support will be required?
- What healthcare professionals will be part of the stroke recovery team to provide that care?
Choosing assisted living facilities after a stroke may be the ideal option. An assisted living facility provides a homelike environment that allows individuals to maintain a modicum of independence. It also often offers access to housekeeping, laundry, dining, medication management, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Some assisted living communities also provide transportation to doctors’ appointments, though there may be an additional cost for this service. The Arbors at Ventana by Buckner offers complimentary transportation and other meaningful services and amenities.
About Assisted Living for Recovery After a Stroke at The Arbors
The Arbors at Ventana offers residents individualized, 24-hour assisted living services, such as:
- Daily living activities
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy services
- Personalized wellness programs
Individuals are cared for by licensed practical nurses and can tap into the expertise of a medical director. An on-staff registered dietitian is available to develop nutritious menus that are imperative for brain health. For stroke survivors who may need an even greater level of care and attention, Ventana’s rehabilitation center, Ascend Rehabilitation, offers rehabilitation with short-term and long-term options.
Find Assisted Living After a Stroke in Texas with Ventana
If someone you care about has had a stroke, contact Ventana today at 214.225.6197. We can help the one you love to get started on their road to recovery.