What is aphasia and how does home health care benefit individuals with this condition?

Aphasia is a condition that occurs when the language areas of the brain are damaged by injury, stroke, or tumor. There are three main types of aphasia: fluent, non-fluent, and global.

Wernicke’s, the most common type of fluent aphasia, is the result of damage to the temporal lobe of the brain. People with Wernicke’s aphasia tend to speak in long phrases that have no meaning, such as: Cat washing the door is that honey bee and my hour glass doorarator tomorrow. They are often unaware of their mistakes and struggle with language comprehension.

Broca’s, the most common type of non-fluent aphasia, develops when the frontal lobe of the brain is injured or damaged. People with Broca’s tend to have paralysis on the right side of their body and can understand speech, and know what they want to say, but they struggle to say or write it. They generally are only able to blurt out small phrases or a couple of words at a time.  

Global aphasia is the result of extensive damage to the brain’s language areas. Those with global aphasia experience severe disabilities of speech and language comprehension.

Home health agencies routinely treat patients recovering from strokes, debilitating brain injuries, and brain cancer. When someone suffers a brain injury, they experience both a physical and mental loss of control. This loss of control can cause some to feel anxious, afraid, or agoraphobic when leaving the confines of their home. Home health care benefits these patients by providing them quality medical care, and physical, and speech therapies in the safety if their home environment. Personalized care administered in a private home setting can result in greater patient participation and a higher rate of recovery.

Emphasize the quality and convenience of home care in your marketing strategies. Provide patient outcome scores in the print media you choose to increase your physician referrals.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month and the perfect time to raise awareness about stroke prevention and the benefits of choosing home health care. Why not partner with local community organizations to sponsor a Purple Walk or 5k run.

  • Provide blood pressure screening and information on healthy eating and age appropriate exercises that can lower the risk for stroke and cardiovascular disease.

  • Encourage food trucks that cater to a heart healthy diet to join in.

  • Invite the local media to participate and report on the event.

 

Visit TAGWebstore.com to order your print media and hand-outs for the event.

Stroke Awareness is he best protection against having one!

Stroke awareness is the best protection against having one. Strokes occur when blood flow to an area of the brain is disrupted. The lack of oxygenated blood causes brain cells to die. The longer blood flow is interrupted the more brain damage is likely to occur.

A person should seek immediate medical attention if signs of a stroke are present. Here is an easy way to remember the signs:

F – Facial Drooping

A – Arm Weakness

S – Speech Difficulty

T – Time is of the essence - call 911

The good news is that many strokes can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle. Start with a diet that is low in sodium and heavy on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, low fat dairy, and lean meats. Follow that with moderate daily exercise, stress reducing activities, keep alcohol usage in check, and no smoking. Now you are on board the stroke prevention train.

Controlling other medical conditions can also help prevent a stroke. By far the highest risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure. Other conditions such as heart disease, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and diabetes can also increase the risk. These are conditions that home health nurses routinely monitor. In fact, many home health agencies use telemonitoring systems to monitor their patients 24 hours a day. Telemonitoring enables clinicians to monitor specific functions like sleep patterns, oxygen levels, and blood pressure as often as needed.

High blood pressure contributes not only directly to having a stroke, but indirectly, as it also contributes to other conditions that can lead to a stroke such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.  A blood pressure of 120 systolic and 80 diastolic is considered ideal. Below that is low and above that is elevated. A blood pressure of 140 systolic and 90 diastolic and above is too high. 

Strokes can be treated effectively if medications are administered quickly. The key to stroke recovery is getting to the hospital right away. Calling 911 for a stroke means treatment can begin on the way to the hospital. EMS will take you to the nearest specialized stroke center to ensure a quick neurological diagnosis and proper treatment.

Once released from the hospital stroke survivors usually need rehabilitation to recover. Choosing home health for that rehabilitation offers the comfort and support of being home with family while receiving quality physical, occupational, and speech therapies.

Promote your agency’s stroke rehabilitation services to neurologists, clinicians, and treatment centers in your service area by providing patient information brochures. Visit TAGWebStore.com for home health stroke rehabilitation information and other condition specific print media.