Assisted Living for Senior Stroke Patients
Assisted living can offer much-needed physical, emotional, and mental care for those recovering from a stroke.
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Nearly 800,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the U.S., stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the number one cause of serious adult disability. So, what happens after a senior loved one has a stroke?
In this article, we look at what a stroke is, why seniors are more likely to have strokes, and why some stroke patients want to go to assisted living facilities. We also share about the kind of care available through assisted living facilities, if assisted living is right for all stroke patients, and what special services cater to stroke patients at assisted living facilities. We conclude by discussing how to find and pay for assisted living facilities that help stroke patients.
What Is a Stroke?
A stroke is a type of brain injury that results when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted. During an ischemic stroke, blood vessels in the brain are blocked or narrowed. During a hemorrhagic stroke, there’s bleeding in the brain. During a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini stroke, a temporary clot occurs that often resolves on its own.
Pro Tip: You might request that a neuropsychological evaluation be performed to assess if the individual’s cognitive functions have changed after a stroke. This can help caregivers and doctors best care for you or your relatives.
Unfortunately, stroke often leads to long-term disability. Experts at Johns Hopkins have found that the first three months after having a stroke are most significant in a patient’s recovery. It’s in the first three months that patients see the most improvement as well.a
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Why Are Seniors More Likely to Have Strokes?
Older adults are more likely to have strokes because they often have advanced heart conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, arterial disease, or blood clotting issues. Sometimes they have all of these medical conditions.
Even if they don’t have these conditions, the risk for strokes increases with age. Diet, fitness, and genetics also contribute to the incidence and severity of strokes. However, keep in mind, a stroke can occur at any age.
Did You Know? A Harvard study found that people who experience chronic loneliness have a 56 percent greater risk of stroke when compared to people who say they are not lonely. That’s even accounting for other risk factors.
Why Might Senior Stroke Patients Want to Go to Assisted Living Facilities?
Assisted living facilities can be ideal places for stroke victims to heal. They’re a safe setting for people who need short-term rehabilitation and require only limited assistance as well as those who have long-term disabilities and need regular help with daily activities.
Many assisted living communities offer three levels of care. The higher the care level, the more assistance you require from staff. This will in turn increase your care cost, but can be very helpful for recovery.
What Kind of Care Is Available to Stroke Patients at Assisted Living Facilities?
Assisted living facilities offer advanced care services such as help with meal preparation or nutrition and help with everyday activities. This level of care is usually handled by a home health aide or, for nonmedical care, by a companion.
In general, an assisted living facility typically offers:
- 24-hour assistance
- Exercise and wellness programs
- Laundry, cleaning, and housekeeping services
- Personal care and help with activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Meals and dining services
- Medication management
- Transportation services
One of the benefits of assisted living is its positive impact on the social aspects of living and healing. In addition to the physical care that assisted living can provide to a stroke victim, it can also help lift their spirit, which is a vital part of healing and well-being.
Some assisted living facilities have strict mobility guidelines and may require that residents have independent mobility and can walk on their own without assistance. This means that those with limited or impaired mobility as stroke patients may not qualify to live in certain assisted living facilities.
Pro Tip: Rest assured, many assisted living communities across the country offer care for those who have experienced a stroke. Whether you’re looking for assisted living in Albuquerque or Houston assisted living communities, there are plenty of options to choose from in most major cities.
Is Assisted Living Right for All Stroke Patients?
The best type of care setting for a stroke survivor depends on their needs. Assisted living can be a good option for those able to live in their own apartments. They can flourish in a homey environment that also offers rehabilitation care for stroke survivors to improve their quality of life.
The seriousness of a stroke and the resulting physical, behavioral, and emotional side effects vary widely. Some stroke survivors may return home and modify their homes for safety with walk-in showers and adjustable beds. Others might be sent to rehab facilities or choose an assisted living facility.
Others may require more assistance. Nursing homes may be better suited for those stroke survivors who need 24-hour skilled care from trained medical professionals, such as nurses. Skilled nursing care includes changing wound dressings or giving patients intravenous (IV) fluids and injections.
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What Special Services at Assisted Living Facilities Cater to Stroke Patients?
Recovery from a stroke is usually a challenging process. One of the greatest things that an assisted living facility can offer a stroke patient is the tangible goal of regaining their independence. That is different from a facility promising they can cure a stroke victim. However, the supportive care services offered by assisted living facilities allow patients to focus on their recovery.
Here are a few ways these facilities focus on recovery:
- Access to professional health care providers: Assisted living communities often include access to professional health care providers such as physical therapists, speech therapists, and even respiratory therapists, as well as doctors and nurses. So, rather than be in an inpatient facility, the patient lives in a home environment with access to advanced health care practitioners right on site or available via safe transportation for those with limited mobility.
- Focus on mental and spiritual health: Top assisted living facilities place value on partnering with mental health professionals. These facilities also create a social environment that is designed to uplift the spirit and empower those who face the challenges of recovering from a stroke. Activities and programs such as yoga, meditation, and group exercise classes are especially helpful with stroke recovery.
- Advanced personal care: Facilities sometimes hire or train care providers who are skilled about people who have suffered a stroke. Some facilities even include the use of mechanical lifts in their communities.
- Dietary needs: Most assisted living facilities have a registered dietitian on staff and the food is prepared to meet the physical and nutritional needs of each patient. That includes those who have had strokes.
How Do I Find an Assisted Living Facility that Tends to Stroke Patients near Me?
When looking for an assisted living facility, the hospital social worker or case manager can likely provide information about assisted living facilities and other types of facilities for stroke survivors. Nurses and doctors might also recommend places. AARP has a caregiver checklist for evaluating assisted living facilities. The most important questions to ask are how much training the staff has related to strokes, and when nurses and physicians are available at each facility. You can also visit our senior living directory to find assisted living and other types of care in your area.
How Do I Pay for Assisted Living for Senior Stroke Patients?
The median cost of assisted living in 2024 is $66,126 per year. Residents usually pay through private savings or:
- Long-term care insurance: Long-term care insurance is an option for those who have a policy. Not all policies cover the same level of care and some are more restrictive than others.
- Medicare: Sometimes Medicare will cover a portion of the costs associated with assisted living or the services needed by someone who has had a stroke. This is not always the case and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Services that might be covered include therapies, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapies, or psychiatric therapies or visits.
- Medicaid: The Medicaid system varies from one state to the next. Not every state’s Medicaid program covers assisted living for someone who has had a stroke. Again, it is important to check with your state’s system and see. It is also important to ask if there are specific services that they might cover, such as therapies.
There are many options for care for those who have suffered a stroke. The main goal should always be to match the patient's needs with the type of facility that best serves these needs. Not every stroke patient will thrive in an assisted living facility — but many do.
