Stroke and Assisted Living: Caring For Those Of All Ages Who Have Suffered From A Stroke

We've been writing for our site for many years now, and we have decided that it is time to talk about how assisted living can most certainly help, and house stroke victims both young and old. We decided to tackle this subject due to the ever-increasing volume of questions we seem to be getting from families asking if assisted living is appropriate for a loved one who has suffered from a stroke.

Interestingly, and sadly, we've noticed that a sizeable percentage of these questions are about younger victims of stroke - at times for people who are in their 40's or 50's - so this question is often two-pronged...asking about the applicability of assisted living for stroke victims, and also if assisted living is appropriate for younger residents. We've discussed the second part of the questions a few times before in terms of the 'myth' surrounding assisted living - that it can only serve seniors or those with dementias, Alzheimer's, or other memory disorders. Times have certainly changed, and assisted living is now, more than ever, equipped to handle persons of a wide range of ages, afflictions, conditions, and disabilities - including stroke.

Hello, I am looking for a safe place for my 68 father to live in. He suffered of a stroke on April 4, 2011 and has been diagnosed with dementia due the the stroke. He is also insulin dependent and takes a lot of medication. He has Medi-Medi and I would like to know what the cost is in order to be in your facility?
Thank you very much

Looking for an assisted living--86 year old who had stroke June 23, 2011---at Desert Life---No foley--able to communicate--but has limited use of left side and probably will not walk again-has below knee amputation on right-wonderful woman-

What availability do you have to assist my 71yo father? He is confined to a wheelchair because of partially being paralyzed after a stroke several years ago. He needs social interaction and to be able to feel that he is not a burden to others. He desperately needs physical therapy, speech therapy, dental and eye care and occupational therapy would be wonderful as well.

I am looking for a one or two week respite care facility for my 93 year old father. He is legally blind, has had 2 strokes resulting in balance issues and wears a catheter. Could your facility accommodate him?

I need to find a nice place for my husband who had a stroke and is now disable, wheelchair bound and left side paralysis. Does he have to be a senior, because he is only 51. If not, do you have any suggestions or recommendations?

Do you have any information to share about your facility on cost, availability etc. for a 43 year old stoke victim?

We have a loved one who recently suffered a stroke and as a result has some associated memory loss and dementia. It's enough of a problem that she may not be able to live alone, but she is still mobile and fairly highly functioning otherwise.

We are starting to investigate the options and would like details. I can be contacted at the e-mail or phone numbers I provided. Do you have any vacancies. If so, I would love to come by to see your place.

Can you give me a ballpark cost figure or range for monthly cost for someone who suffered a stroke and still has cognitive difficulties. She is mobile and fairly highly functioning but has memory loss and periods of dementia. She is currently in a skilled nursing facility in New London, NH for therapy but we are beginning to sort out options if she is not able to live alone when released.

I am looking for an assisted living "home" for my mother, who has some brain damage (memory loss and cognitive impairment) due to stroke. She needs financial assistance as her income is low. Can you please tell me if Medical or Medicare helps with that, or if you know where we could move her that where she could get financial assistance?

I am looking for possible assisted living for a family member who is 47, and who has suffered a stroke. He really needs to be in a managed care environment, and our family is not able to adequately attend to his needs. What would your costs be?

These are just a few examples of the types of questions we have received about stroke and assisted living, which illustrate that there is certainly a need, and also that there is still confusion surrounding what assisted living can, and cannot provide.

What is Stroke?

According to the National Institutes of Health, "A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack." If this blood flow is stopped for more than a few seconds, brain damage can happen due to dying brain cells. Clogged arteries and clots are the main culprits.

We won't attempt to get into the finer details of what a stroke is, but for our purposes here, we will discuss what some of the complications of a stroke are, which include (according to the NIH):

Breathing food into the airway (aspiration)

Dementia

Falls

Loss of mobility

Loss of movement or feeling in one or more parts of the body

Muscle spasticity

Poor nutrition

Pressure sores

Problems speaking and understanding

Problems thinking or focusing

To learn more about what causes a stroke, we recommend watching this short video:

If we look at these complications, they are very similar to what assisted living facilities already handle, and have historically handled with seniors, and those who suffer from Alzheimer's or Dementia (and interestingly, a stroke can cause dementia and memory disorders).

At it's core, assisted living facilities most often handle, and help residents in several core areas. These, in the most basic sense, include:

Helping residents with meals and nutrition

Managing dementias and memory disorders

Helping out where loss of movement has hindered the ability to manage day-to-day tasks such as dressing, bathing, and personal hygiene.

Help with incontinence

Medication Management

Offering a physical environment that will help minimize falls and injuries by employing hand rails, walk-in-bathtubs, handicap/wheelchair access, and emergency call systems.

Cognitive stimulation, social activities and other therapies

Transportation to and from appointments

A qualified, trained nursing staff

Workers and Nurses can be stroke certified as well. Here is one message from an RN that we received detailing her expertise in dealing with stroke:

"My name is Alicia and I am a Registered Nurse. I was wondering if you have any nursing positions available? I am currently NIH stroke Certified. I am willing to work any shift."

Beyond the core items that assisted living facilities most often provide, there can be a wide range of extra services and amenities that may also be offered, and that may be helpful to stroke victims, such as dedicated staff or therapists to help with the recovery process, or management of the complications from the stroke.

The National Institutes on Health states that 'Over half of people who have a stroke are able to function and live at home. Other people are not able to care for themselves.'

If you, or a loved on has had a stroke, and is considering assisted living, you'll likely need to research many different facilities to find out which ones are best equipped and able to take on a resident who has had a stroke. This will likely require interviewing many, if not dozens of facilities, asking detailed questions about what services they provide, and learning how qualified and trained their staff is to handle the challenging complications caused by a stroke.

You might be surprised to learn how many facilities are now able and willing to take on new residents of any age who have suffered a stroke!

- Article produced by the staff at Assisted Living Directory