3 Common Emotional Challenges Seniors Face After Strokes

The physical and cognitive changes that happen after a senior loved one has a stroke are often painfully clear. The conflicting emotions that accompany the road to recovery, however, can be harder to identify. The feelings stroke survivors experience can depend on several factors, including the side of the brain in which the injury occurred. Understanding what kind of emotions your aging family member may feel after a stroke can help you aid your loved one’s recovery process. 

Anger & Frustration

It’s natural for people who have had strokes to feel a sense of frustration when they have difficulty communicating or are unable to perform simple tasks. Sometimes, however, anger can take the form of verbal or physical abuse toward their caregivers. Right-brain injuries tend to cause diminished awareness that can result in an inability to react well to frustration, which in turn causes the stroke survivor to lash out in anger. Caregivers may need professional help to determine what steps should be taken to handle the situation.

Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Arlington home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help.

Post-Stroke Depression (PSD)

One of the most common emotions experienced after a stroke, depression can result from a change in the brain’s chemistry or from a psychological reaction. In either case, it’s important for caregivers, family members, and health care professionals to understand the senior needs treatment. Clinical studies show stroke survivors experiencing depression are more likely to have recurrent strokes. Treating depression with antidepressants and/or psychotherapy not only helps seniors feel better but also enhances their physical and mental recovery as well.

A home caregiver can provide much-needed companionship and closely monitor your loved one for signs of depression while he or she is recovering after a stroke. Families looking for top-rated homecare providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.

Feelings of Hopelessness

Untreated depression can lead to a feeling that there’s nothing the senior can do to recover. If your loved one is constantly pessimistic, feels helpless or worthless, and shows no interest in activities he or she once enjoyed, it’s important to talk to a health care professional about possible treatments. 

Though the road to stroke recovery can be long and challenging, you and your loved one don’t have to face it alone. Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Arlington, VA, elderly home care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of an around-the-clock caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (703) 988-1800 to learn more about our customized care plans.