As you probably know, when it comes to treating a stroke, every single second counts. If you have an elderly loved one that you suspect is having a stroke, getting them emergency treatment as quickly as possible is a must. The sooner that a stroke is detected and then treated, the higher the likelihood of survival becomes, the lesser the chances of permanent disability, and the better able that person will be to have a high quality of life after the fact.
A new stroke treatment called a stent retriever looks like it might be the most effective emergency treatment yet when it comes to strokes. Reports say that if the stent retriever is administered within two and a half hours of the beginning of the stroke, there is a much better chance of the person suffering from the stroke to make a full recovery. Strokes can often cause mental and physical difficulties, and this can make things like senior care become a necessity much earlier than they might be needed otherwise. Even low cost types of care like part time in-home care are more expensive than no care at all, and although having a caregiver can be helpful, it’s not right for all families. Causing a need for a caregiver sooner than needed because of poor stroke treatment is even worse than this and should be avoided at all costs.
Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke in the United States, and stent retriever treatment is specifically designed to help improve recovery odds for this. This type of stroke accounts for about 90 percent of all strokes, and it involves a blockage of blood flow, and thus oxygen, to the brain. This can lead to disability, both mental and physical, and the effects are often lifelong in nature. Early treatment helps minimize the chances of this happening. Stent retrievers are seen as the latest and greatest way to prevent permanent disability. And while stroke prevention is still the best way to go about doing this, early treatment is the next best thing.
Finally, remember that having someone in the house with your loved one that is fully trained in what to do in emergency situations is another good way to improve their odds of recovery if they do have a stroke. Not all in-home caregivers have this training, especially if they are not part of a professional caregiver service. Independent caregivers might have great intentions, but they don’t always have the necessary background to hold the position of responsibility that they are looking for. Someone who is trained, knows how to respond in an emergency, and knows what the warning signs of a stroke, or any other acute occurrence, is a must if you are going to be hiring a caregiver. If this recent development in the field of stroke treatment tells us anything, it’s that timely and appropriate care is a must, and the best way to ensure this is to put people around your loved one that can help to make that happen.
Leave a Reply