At The Stayton, the health and happiness of our residents is our top priority — from group fitness classes and healthy meal options in our restaurants, to educational sessions and awareness events around the signs, symptoms and treatment of health conditions. May is Stroke Awareness Month, and while we are glad for the annual opportunity to center conversation around stroke, a stroke can occur year-round, which is why we want to help spread awareness and understanding of stroke and stroke recovery beyond our community at The Stayton.
Signs of Stroke
While a stroke can happen to younger individuals, the risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55. In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that nearly 75 percent of all strokes occur in adults over 65. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can increase your risk for stroke. Maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle can help keep your heart and brain in good shape while keeping those risk factors in check. From strolling through the neighborhood or attending water aerobics in our pool, there are abundant opportunities to remain active for The Stayton residents.
Statistically, women are at higher risk for stroke and tend to exhibit more symptoms, although the signs and symptoms of stroke are similar for both men and women.
Signs of stroke can include:
- Sudden numbness, particularly on one side of the body
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Sudden difficulty with speech
- Sudden vision problems
- Sudden trouble walking
- Sudden severe headache
If you or a loved one exhibits any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. The sooner a stroke victim can receive treatment, the less severe long-term effects are likely to be. F.A.S.T., which stands for face, arms, speech, time — is a helpful acronym to remember the signs of stroke and to know when to call emergency services.
Stroke Recovery
While the severity of a stroke differs for every individual, rehabilitation is key to stroke recovery. On average, stroke recovery programs last five to six weeks, although the duration can vary depending on your particular situation. Stroke rehabilitation begins as soon as possible following the stroke, and can involve physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists.
Where you go for stroke recovery can also vary based on the severity of the stroke. There are both in-patient and outpatient options for those who have suffered a stroke. For residents of The Stayton, no matter which option you choose, you can recover in the comfort of your community.
In-Patient Rehabilitation in Fort Worth
Following hospital discharge, non-residents might come to The Stayton for in-patient stroke rehab and recovery. Depending on the severity of symptoms, patients might recover in our in-patient rehabilitation unit or in our skilled nursing wing for more around-the-clock assistance. Another option is outpatient rehab, where older adults in the Fort Worth area come to The Stayton Health Center on a regular basis for the duration of their recovery. Your care team will work with you and your loved ones to determine which rehabilitation and recovery options are the most practical for you.
Rehabilitation for The Stayton Independent Living Residents
If you are already a resident of The Stayton who has suffered a stroke, one of the great benefits of living in our continuing care retirement community is that additional health services, including skilled nursing and rehabilitation are readily available within the community. The options for in-patient rehabilitation, skilled nursing and outpatient rehabilitation are the same for residents, with one major difference — you already live in this community! That means if you stay in your independent living residence, it’s a simple jaunt to your regular rehab appointments in our Plaza health center. Likewise, if you recover in our skilled nursing or in-patient rehab unit, your spouse and community friends are nearby and can visit at their convenience. The support and encouragement from loved ones plays an invaluable role in stroke recovery.
The Benefits of The Stayton’s Health Center Services
Team members in our health center stay up to date on the current best practices and protocols for working with residents who have suffered a stroke, and our nurses are thoroughly trained on how to conduct proper assessments of patients including early detection of the signs and symptoms of stroke.
The physical, occupational and speech therapists who work with individuals recovering from stroke all work together with treatment plans that complement one another. And because all rehabilitation activities take place in one location, there is no need for outpatient residents to keep track of different appointments at different locations. If the time comes that you or a loved one are rehabbing from stroke, know that the kind, compassionate team members in The Stayton’s health center will help you on the road to recovery.
To learn more about The Stayton community or the services offered at our health center, please fill out the form below or call us at 817-349-7140.
