Strokes – Leading Cause of Long-Term Care

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. People of all ages and backgrounds can have a stroke. You probably know someone who has had a stroke, and you certainly know of celebrities that have suffered from a stroke.

You probably know some of the names like Randy Travis, Sharon Stone, Marla Gibbs, Frankie Muniz, and Larry King. Others like Bruce Willis and Mark McEwen have suffered from Aphasia, usually caused by a stroke.

Many people die from strokes, like Luke Perry, Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Della Reese, and Bill Paxton. Several former U.S. presidents, Franklin Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford, died from strokes.

Strokes are Getting Common

Each year, about 795,000 people in the United States have strokes. About 137,000 people die from the stroke. Around 185,000 people who survive a stroke will have another stroke within 5 years.

The National Stroke Association says strokes are one of the leading causes of long-term adult disability. Many of these people who suffer from a stroke will need long-term nursing home care. In contrast, others may be able to stay in their own homes with in-care or receive care in an assisted living facility. Still, others may fully recover, although they are at risk for a second more severe stroke.

Many stroke victims will develop memory problems, whether it be mild cognitive impairment, short-term memory loss, or Aphasia. Memory loss due to a stroke is often called vascular dementia.

The good news is that strokes can be treated. With good health habits and regular check-ups, stroke victims can reduce their chance of having a second stroke. 

Stroke Signs and Symptoms

The Mayo Clinic says to watch for these signs and symptoms for you and those you love:  

• Trouble with speaking and understanding. The person may experience confusion, slurring words, or difficulty understanding speech.

• Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm, or leg. Sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis in the person's face, arm, or leg may occur, especially on one side of the body. The potential stroke victim should try to raise both arms over their head at the same time. If one arm begins to fall, the person may be having a stroke. Similarly, if one side of the mouth droops when attempting to smile, it may be a sign of a stroke.

Other signs to watch for:

• Vision loss or double vision in one or both eyes

• Sudden severe headache

• Problems walking, severe dizziness, or sudden loss of coordination.

• Altered consciousness

 Strokes are About Interruption of Blood Supply

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced. This deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients, which can cause brain cells to die.

There are several causes of a stroke. These causes include a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or the leaking or bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Some people may experience only a temporary disruption of blood flow to their brain (transient ischemic attack, or TIA).

Learn about the types of strokes and the risk factors from the Mayo Clinic.

Recovery from a Stroke

Recovery time from a stroke, according to Northwestern Medicine, may take weeks, months, or even years. Some patients may have lifelong disabilities, while others may recover completely. For all patients, the stroke recovery process involves making lifestyle changes. These lifestyle changes can help to prevent additional strokes and facilitate lifelong recovery.

Recovery Facts

Statistics show that following stroke:  

•     10 percent of patients recover almost completely

•     25 percent of patients recover with only minor impairments

•     40 percent of patients experience moderate-to-severe impairments that require special care

•     10 percent of patients require long-term care

•     15 percent of patients die shortly after

Stroke victims often experience an immediate deterioration in their ability to think and reason. This memory loss usually will require the person to need supervision in a memory care facility, assisted living facility, or nursing home, even if there are few physical problems caused by the stroke.

Long-Term Health Care and Rehab Costs are Rising 

The cost of long-term health care and ongoing rehabilitation is expensive. Health insurance, including Medicare (and supplement), will pay for skilled services like rehab for 100 days. Custodial care (help with daily living activities and/or supervision due to memory loss is not covered at all unless you have a Long-Term Care Insurance policy or qualify for Medicaid.

Medicaid will pay for long-term health care when an individual has little or no income and assets.

Strokes are just another issue that comes with aging. Younger people are suffering from strokes than ever before. While strokes and TIA's occur at all ages, the risk increases with age. 

We experience a decline in our health as we get older. With aging comes mobility problems, dementia, and even frailty. You can only purchase Long-Term Care Insurance when you are in fairly good health. In other words, you can't purchase a policy right after having a stroke.

LTC Insurance Helps with Quality Care

Since long-term health care is expensive, no matter the reason you need care, preparing for the ongoing costs and burdens of aging is vital to retirement planning. Long-Term Care Insurance provides the policyholder with guaranteed tax-free benefits, giving them access to a choice of quality care services, including in-home care.

When you are talking about expenses that can average $4000 or more a month today, you can imagine what the cost of long-term health care will be in the decades ahead. When you own an LTC Insurance policy, you have a solution to mitigate some of the risks in order to maintain your lifestyle and legacy.

The other thing to consider when thinking about the consequences of declining health and aging is the impact on your family. Many families find themselves in a crisis when a loved one needs long-term health care. The policy will allow your loved ones to have the time to be family instead of caregivers.

Aging Happens - Health Changes 

Health changes often without warning. The need for long-term health care increases as you get older, although it happens to younger people as well. Most people obtain coverage in their 50s when premiums are lower, and they are still in good health.

Some people think something will never happen to them. Yet, ask Bruce Willis's family, for example. Changes in health and long-term care do not discriminate. Being prepared to ease family stress and protect your income and assets from the growing costs of long-term care services.