Discover long term care strategies for stroke survivors. Learn about prevention, lifestyle changes, and why Liv Hospital is a leader in Stroke Medicine.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Long-Term Care
Up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented with healthy lifestyle changes and medical management of risk factors. Prevention focuses on treating the underlying conditions what causes a stroke. Controlling high blood pressure is the single most effective preventive measure.
Other key strategies include:
You should see a doctor immediately if you experience any stroke like symptoms, even if they are temporary. Call emergency services; do not drive yourself. For long term care, regular follow up with a neurologist and primary care physician is essential.
You should also see a doctor if you notice new symptoms after a stroke, such as increased stiffness, pain, depression, or falls. Regular check ups are needed to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and the effectiveness of blood thinning medications.
A heart healthy diet is a brain healthy diet. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, is often recommended. Reducing sodium (salt) intake is crucial for lowering blood pressure.
limiting saturated fats and trans fats helps reduce cholesterol. Patients should also limit alcohol consumption. For those with swallowing difficulties, adhering to the texture modified diet prescribed by the speech therapist is vital to prevent aspiration pneumonia.
Regular physical activity lowers the risk of stroke and aids in recovery. The goal is usually at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week. For stroke survivors, exercise may need to be adapted to their physical abilities.
Activities might include walking, stationary cycling, or water aerobics. Exercise helps lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, control diabetes, and reduce stress. It also boosts mood and overall energy levels. A physical therapist can design a safe exercise program.
Taking medication exactly as prescribed is critical for preventing a second stroke. Survivors are often prescribed antiplatelet drugs (like aspirin) or anticoagulants to prevent clots. They may also take drugs for blood pressure and cholesterol (statins).
Stopping these medications without a doctor’s advice significantly increases the risk of recurrence. Patients should use pill boxes or apps to manage their schedule and report any side effects to their doctor rather than just stopping the drug.
Caregivers are the backbone of long term stroke recovery. They assist with daily tasks, medication management, transportation, and emotional support. It is a demanding role that can lead to caregiver burnout.
Caregivers need to:
Stroke causes physical damage to the brain that can affect emotions. Depression and anxiety are very common in stroke survivors. They may also experience pseudobulbar affect, which causes uncontrollable crying or laughing that doesn’t match their actual mood.
Emotional liability, irritability, and personality changes can be difficult for families. These are biological symptoms of the brain injury, not just reactions to the event. Treatment includes counseling, support groups, and antidepressant medications, which can greatly improve quality of life.
Returning home requires ensuring the environment is safe to prevent falls. Falls are a major risk for stroke survivors due to balance issues and weakness. An occupational therapist usually assesses the home before discharge.
Modifications may include:
Returning home requires ensuring the environment is safe to prevent falls. Falls are a major risk for stroke survivors due to balance issues and weakness. An occupational therapist usually assesses the home before discharge.
Modifications may include:
One in four survivors will have another stroke within 5 years. This “secondary stroke” can be more damaging than the first. Prevention requires aggressive management of risk factors. This is why “what causes a stroke” must be fully investigated and treated.
Prevention checklist:
Liv Hospital is a center of excellence for Stroke Medicine. We provide comprehensive care from the acute emergency phase through to long term rehabilitation. Our stroke centers are equipped with the latest imaging technology and are staffed 24/7 by specialized vascular neurologists.
We offer:
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
It depends on the severity of the stroke and your recovery you must be evaluated by a doctor or rehab specialist before driving again.
Post stroke fatigue is very common and can last for months it is a sign that the brain is working hard to heal and rewire itself.
Stroke can affect parts of the brain controlling personality and inhibition leading to changes that may be temporary or permanent.
You should consult your doctor generally it is safe after a few weeks if you are stable but you may need to move around to prevent clots.
We use advanced robotic technology and personalized therapy plans to maximize your recovery potential in a supportive environment.
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