I’m going home after a stroke – now what?
Every 40 seconds someone in America has a stroke. Every 40 seconds someone’s life changes unexpectedly.
If you or a loved one has had a stroke, you’re probably familiar with the range of emotions this diagnosis brings and how critical it is to feel supported throughout the recovery process.
“No one is ever truly prepared for these life changes,” says Dr. Demetrius Lopes, a neurosurgeon at Advocate Health Care. “Those of us dedicated to caring for stroke patients are committed to creating personalized guides to support them through what lies ahead in the smoothest way possible. It’s a new learning experience and we are here to help.”
In most cases, post-stroke care requires a combination of medicine, rehab and lifestyle adjustments. Stroke navigators and patient liaisons play a key role in the care of a stroke patient. They chart long-term home care plans in addition to caring for them during their hospital treatment and rehabilitation.
Stroke patients receive supportive services with scheduling follow-up visits; guidance to organize post-care treatments, diet, and therapy plans; and a listening ear to ask questions about the changes they may be experiencing at home. Stroke navigators also monitor a stroke patient’s overall health, especially heart and vascular conditions, which are important to prevent additional strokes from occurring.
“Stroke patients are unique, and in many cases, on paper, are a success story,” says Dr. Lopes. “It is common for patients’ labs and the National Institute of Health’s Stroke Scale to show normal levels, yet patients are experiencing lingering, residual effects like fatigue, deficit episodic vertigo or memory loss – to name a few.”
He encourages everyone to know the signs and symptoms of stroke and remember to BE FAST.
B = Balance (Do you have sudden loss of balance or coordination?)
E = Eyes (Is your vision blurred? Do you have double vision or sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes?)
F = Face (Can you smile? Does one side of the face sag or droop?)
A = Arms (Can you raise both arms? Or does one arm drift downward?)
S = Speech (Is your speech slurred or strange-sounding? Can you repeat a single sentence?)
T = Terrible headache and time to call 911 (Sudden onset of a terrible headache or “the worst headache of your life”)
Want to learn more about your risk for stroke? Take a free online quiz.
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health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.
I had a stroke left side of brain, no deficits; however, anxiety is happening now at home. Discharged in two days new medications. Grateful no deficits but need to know what I can do regarding the anxiety. Ty
Hello Tina. Our care team suggested that you contact your stroke neurology clinic to go over your care plan, as well as to set up an appointment with our primary care clinician for follow up. Be well.
Good Morning, Tina! This message was just routed to me by our neurosurgery NP. I’m happy to assist you with scheduling a follow up. I’m a Stroke Patient Care Liaison at Lutheran General Hospital. My direct #847-723-0222.