Your Elderly Parent Had A Stroke: What's Next?

Being at the hospital and being informed your elderly parent has a stroke can be not only confusing but terrifying. Understanding what's happened it's just the beginning of the journey you and your parent will take toward recovery. There are some things you'll need to do before leaving the hospital that will make your parent' situation easier:

Ask for Telestroke Sessions

In the hours that follow your parent's stroke, they could be eligible for medication that can slow or reverse stroke effects. The medication, given through a body catheter or IV port, will have to be recommended by a doctor. To ensure that your parent is evaluated for this therapy properly, ask whether the doctor overseeing your parent's health will be conducting a Telestroke session with a specialist.

A Telestroke consultation is a way for a doctor to examine and evaluate a stroke patient without having to be in the same physical location. They are sent brain imaging and engage in video conferencing to "see" the patient in real time. Such sessions are especially beneficial if you live in a small or remote town.

Once you and your parent leave the hospital, you may also want to inquire about Telestroke sessions from your home so that doctors can continue to monitor your parent's performance.

Ask About Safety Measures

While your parent remains in the hospital, it's important for you to learn how you can make things safer for them once they return to their home or yours. An occupational therapist may be able to advise different actions to take. For example, you've got to do what you can to help your parent avoid falls; the therapist might suggest removing small rugs and other things they could slip or trip on.

Talk with Family

Care of stroke victims is tough for one person. If you have already been bearing primary responsibility for your parent's care, it could be time to discuss changes. You may need to discuss financial considerations and arranging for someone to be with your parent at all times. Having these discussions before they are released from the hospital will enable everyone to make adjustments and prepare for the future as soon as they can.

Now that you've got some idea of how you'll handle things when your elderly parent has a stroke, you can begin the tough work of helping them recover. Your parent's neurologist can give more specific details. Contact a company like Telespecialists for more information and assistance.