At Friendship Village of South Hills in Upper St. Clair, we understand the importance of Stroke Awareness Month. As a senior retirement community, our residents are especially vulnerable to strokes. Every year, 800,000 strokes occur in the United States, and nearly three-quarters of them happen to people who are age 65 or older. Strokes are the leading cause of long-term disabilities in older adults, and the second leading cause of death worldwide.
We believe it is our responsibility to educate our residents on the common warning signs of strokes, the recovery process, and how our Life Care community can support recovery.
Signs of a stroke
Living a lifestyle that supports your heart and brain health is the best way to prevent a stroke. But in the event that you or someone you know suffers a stroke, it’s critical that you be able to identify the common warning signs and symptoms when they appear. It’s important to call 911 as soon as possible to ensure that the stroke victim receives timely medical attention.
Strokes occur when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked. The symptoms commonly associated with a stroke are weakness in the face, arm or leg, speech difficulty, face drooping, impaired or lost vision, lack of coordination, trouble walking and a sudden severe headache.
Recovering from a stroke
There are no guarantees when it comes to the rehab and recovery process. The recovery period is often five to six weeks, but that can vary depending on the severity of the stroke. Rehabilitation includes physical, occupational and speech therapies, all of which work in concert. Exercises focused on balance, coordination and range of motion will be used to restore everyday physical functions like standing, walking and changing positions.
You can start your road to recovery in the health center at Friendship Village.
In-Patient Rehabilitation for Pittsburgh Area Seniors
Not a current resident at Friendship Village? That doesn’t mean our health services are unavailable to you. Non-residents who have been discharged from the hospital can make our health center their temporary home, where they’ll receive in-patient rehabilitation or skilled nursing care depending on their specific needs. Patients in our state-of-the-art health center are not only surrounded by a team of caring and compassionate people, but they also have access to all of the services and amenities that our community has to offer.
Rehabilitation for Friendship Village Independent Living Residents
Just as non-residents are welcome to take advantage of the health services at Friendship Village, it’s part of the package for independent living residents. Life Care residents are promised a continuum of care and that includes rehab and recovery in the event of a stroke. They will of course be transported to a hospital in the immediate aftermath of a stroke, but once they have been discharged, we will be here to help them get back on their feet. All of the services our residents need are under our roof, which means their home and friends are never far.
Benefits of community health services at Friendship Village
Where can you find physical, occupational and speech therapy for stroke rehab and recovery all under one roof? Friendship Village of South Hills. Every member of our team understands that working your way back from a stroke is a difficult process, which is why each of them stays up-to-date on the best practices for working with residents who have suffered a stroke. If you were to review our team of skilled nurses, you’d find a group of healthcare professionals who have all been trained how to perform proper assessments of patients, including detection and signs and symptoms of strokes, so you are taken care of before and after a stroke.
You need better than good hands. You need the best hands, and they belong to the men and women who make up our great health services team at Friendship Village.
To learn more about Friendship Village’s community or the services offered at our health center, please fill out the form below or call us at 724-941-3100.
