Stroke & Heart Attack Care

Senior Care Resources Are Available to Assist Patients and Their Families

There are many physical and emotional difficulties that affect seniors and other adults who are recovering from a stroke or heart attack. If you or a loved one is in this situation, it’s important to realize you don’t need to feel alone. Many senior care resources are available to assist patients and families cope with the challenges facing them, including the physical and psychological obstacles that are frequently associated with heart attack or stroke recovery. 

Perhaps the most important factor for family caregivers is not being afraid to ask for help. On the website for the American Stroke Association (www.strokeassociation.org), it’s said that often times relatives, friends, and neighbors do not immediately offer assistance simply because they don’t want to seem intruding. However, just because a victim of a stroke or heart attack doesn’t ask for help, it does not necessarily indicate that they have everything under control. 

The American Stroke Association advises that it is unhealthy for senior caregivers, even if they are family, to take on the responsibility entirely by themselves. It is a demanding responsibility to help someone recover from such a serious and life-threatening condition, and without outside assistance, often times the friend or family member caring for the loved one can become burdened or stressed. 

In addition to the physical benefits of having an outside in-home caregiver, having someone come in to help and visit can lift the spirits of the person being cared for. Sometimes professional caregivers can offer a “breath of fresh air” that brings new life and comfort, in addition to the love and care already being provided by family and friends.

The American Stroke Association suggests that the regular caregivers define their needs, to help develop an organized plan for heart attack and stroke recovery treatment. Types of heart attack and stroke assistance range from occasional respite care and light housekeeping, to regular assistance and medical supervision. Other available treatment options include the following:

 ·        Personal care

·         Housekeeping

·         Meal preparation

·         Transportation to medical appointments

·         Shopping

·         Recreational activities

·         Daily supervision and companionship

Families and friends can find stroke and heart attack care through professional in-home care providers, an informal network of other relatives and friends, as well as community and church organizations-or any mixture of these resources. 

Click here to learn about the risk of depression and the advantages of finding a support group following a heart attack.