Hi My dad is 87 years old and also had a mssive stroke a week ago,he's got demensia as well,can he recover?

he had extensive bleeding and according to the doctor on tuesday night he had 20 to 30% chance of survivng
but he proved everyone wrong and it has been 1 week and he survived it
he also has demensia
i just wanna know , if there is any chance of him recovering from the stroke

On March 23, 2004 I had a hemorrhagic stroke from ruptured aneurysm in my Posterior Communicating Artery . I spent my 59th birthday in ICU. The damage was massive. No Surgery was even attempted because it "might have done more harm than good", and I wasn't expected to survive the night. I spent a week in ICU, then a few days in what is called Step-down where patients still need constant monitoring and then a few days on a regular nursing care floor. It was then that my husband was told "We don't know she will ever have another coherent thought" and "you should consider moving her to a nursing home". I was totally paralyzed on my right side, couldn't speak and couldn't swallow. I had to be fed through a tube surgically inserted into my stomach. My husband refused to send me to a nursing home and insisted I be transferred to the hospital's Rehab Wing, where I spent another month. I only remember bits and pieces of the next few months. I did have vision problems and problems dialing phone numbers, they just didn't make any sense to me. My speech was the first to return, then I relearned to walk and at about 6 moths out my arm/hand began to respond. I was in Pt for 14 months and Ot for 18 months. Therapy is very very expensive and is usually covered by insurance for only a short time. Today my husband says I'm operating at about 85 -90 %. I have some memory problems and cry easier than I used to but I can do most anything that doesn't require much physical strength. My Doctor once called me his miracle patient of the year. So, I'd say there is always hope, Always.

Therapy was the very hardest thing I have ever done. It required every ounce of strength, determination and will power I could muster. Since your Dad is almost 30 years older than I was and if the dementia was pre-existing, he may not have enough strength left, so be thankful for every minute he is with you and for every gain he makes.

Sometimes I still have times when I guess I'm feeling sorry for myself and lament the loss of all the things I used to be able to do. I wish so that I could do again with ease those things that I now struggle with daily. I still want my "life" back!


God just wasn't ready to see me yet.. I'll say a prayer for your Dad.

You never know, with good medical care and a positive attitude and God's will all is possible.

Depends on how bad his dementia is.

If he was able to understand and follow directions before, he may have a chance.
Also depends on where in his brain he had the stroke.

Which side of his body is he experiencing the symptoms in?

I think it is important to not get your hopes up too high. Massive strokes at the age of 87 are pretty catastrophic in most all cases. There are those very rare cases that surprise everyone.

Remember, if he had dementia prior to the stroke that will be his optimal baseline. It is unlikely he could recover to that level... if the stroke was "massive". With CT scans and MRI's, radiologists/neuroligist have pretty good information for general prognosis.

IF he is comatose and/or has limited motor function after a week...the long-term prognosis is bleak. Pneumonia is a significant risk also. Many times stroke patients can not swallow correctlly and they continuely aspirate on their oral secretions until they end up with overwhelming bacteria in their lungs (pneumonia).

The more time that goes by... the better idea the neurologist will have of what you might expect. If he starts having trouble with breathing or has wide temperature flucuations those are not good signs either. Be prepared for discussions about what your father's wishes would be for code status if approached about that.

These are tuff times for spouses and children... I understand your situation. God Bless!

My father also had a stroke last year. It depends on the area of the brain that was affected. My dad could remember things from the 70's but had a difficult time remembering present events. I found that we received very little information from Drs. I suggest you research what you can to help you understand. Depending on the severity therapy can help someone who has had a stroke develop different coping skills.

http://www.strokeassociation.org/present...

It is such a difficult thing for both the person that has suffered the stroke and for the family that loves them. There are Stroke support groups also available

My father passed away in Sept. but not due to the stroke. It is a very stressful thing and I will say a prayer for you and yours.