As a national leading provider of senior healthcare services, Consulate Health Care is pleased to provide patient education resources for the health conditions that are most prevalent among our elderly population. Below, you will find the topics for each of the nine educational resources. By clicking on any of these topics, you will be able to access information about the medical condition, symptoms, treatment and much more. We hope you find these resources helpful and will consider the compassionate and caring services of Consulate Health Care for all of your senior healthcare needs.

A stroke or CVA (Cerebrovascular accident) is a condition in which the cells in the brain suddenly die because of a lack of oxygen. This can be caused by a blockage in the blood flowing to the brain called an “ischemic stroke”, or the rupture of a blood vessel that feeds the brain called a “hemorrhagic stroke”

Ischemic Stroke

Most strokes are “ischemic” types. This type of occurs when a blood clot forms within a blood vessel that blocks blood flow to part of the brain. A blood clot can also form elsewhere in the body and break off. This free floating may be carried through the bloodstream and lodge in the brain where it can cause ischemic stroke.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel on the brain’s outer surface bursts, filling the space between the brain and skull with blood or when a defective blood vessel in the brain ruptures and fills the surrounding tissue with blood.

Each type of stroke results in diminished blood flow to the brain.

The effect after a stroke depends on where the stroke occurs and amount of the brain that is affected. Small strokes tend to cause lesser problems, such as weakness in an arm or leg, cognitive or speech disturbances. Large strokes may lead to paralysis, coma or even death.

Your Primary Care Provider

Provides care for your general health while at our center and will strive to give direction to treat you and to attempt to prevent a second stroke. Depending on underlying conditions, this can include reducing high blood pressure, controlling an irregular heartbeat, thinning the blood, reducing unhealthy blood lipids, diabetic management, seizure control, pain control, sleep remedies and smoking cessation modalities.

Nursing Staff

Help to promote safety, emotional support and a sense of wellbeing. Nurses may provide medications, assess and evaluate your recovery, monitor vital signs and observe the effects of the drugs ordered to control complications, if applicable. High risk conditions are monitored by keeping an eye on fluid balance, weight, breathing elimination, skin condition, mood, and lab values. Their goal is to support optimal functional stability by encouraging and assisting with activities of daily living and facilitating self care progress.

Physical Therapist

Your Primary Care provider may order physical therapy. These therapists evaluate strength, endurance, range of motion, gait abnormalities, and  sensory changes. They create individualized programs to regain movement and balance as well as design exercise programs to improve strength,  posture or compensate for reduced abilities such as grasping objects successfully. They may also be able to help intervene when pain is caused by tendons and ligaments that become fixed in one position for periods of time.

Occupational Therapist

Your Primary Care Provider may order this therapy. These professionals help residents relearn personal care, cooking, cleaning and performing domestic skills. They advise and instruct on the proper use and function of assistive devices. Other interventions may include the provision of  splints and slings as well as contributing to discharge planning through discussion and education to prepare your home for what it may require for safe and optimal functioning.

Speech-language Therapist

Your Primary Care Provider may order these therapy strategies to assist with designing a program to aid with means of communication. This can include helping residents find ways or means of expression and to understand words spoken or written. Lastly, they may assist residents with eating and swallowing difficulties. The therapist may work with the facility dietary department to ensure food choices and consistencies are ordered to best meet your individual needs and preferences.

Social Service Staff

Provide emotional counseling for you and your loved ones and make necessary referrals to meet strategies to overcome mental health needs. It is not unusual after a stroke to have fear, anxiety, frustration, anger, sadness or a sense of grief for physical or mental losses. Some strokes can cause emotional disturbances and personality changes. If you are feeling these types of feelings, please reach out to a Social Worker to spend time listening to your concerns. We can reach out to your clergy or provide psychological counseling within our facility, if applicable. These professionals will discuss with you Advanced Directives and advanced care planning, to ensure your rights and personal decisions are honored at our facility.

Recreation Staff

Help residents develop and enjoy the use of leisure time. This can contribute to recovery by offering feelings of increased self esteem, reduce stress and enrich their quality of life. It is important to try and resume old hobbies or try your hand at a new one. Therapeutic activities can include painting, manipulating clay, gardening, playing cards, reading books, playing puzzles or simply socializing with other residents.

Management Staff

The management team is there to provide care and service for recovery. Please feel free to reach out to make your needs known or let them know if there is something that can make your stay more comfortable.

Our staff can manage and provide care for many exacerbations without hospitalization. Your Primary Care Provider and Nursing team will advise you on the options to manage your condition.