Analysis of a large, nationally representative survey shows that stroke survivors under age 50 have more problems concentrating and running errands and experience more poor mental health days than older stroke survivors do.
Younger survivors who were not working faced the greatest challenges in their recovery. The study comes as stroke rates among younger people have increased rapidly in recent years, driven in part by sedentary lifestyles and rising obesity rates.
The researchers behind the study say that younger stroke survivors deserve and require unique support services that meet their needs and help them reintegrate into their work, family and social spheres.
"With the growing rate of stroke among individuals under 50, the medical establishment has to acknowledge that young stroke survivors require age-specific rehabilitation strategies that include different components than they do for older stroke survivors," said Molly Jacobs, Ph.D., a professor in the University of Florida's College of Public Health and Health Professions and co-author of the report.
Jacobs and UF professor Charles Ellis Jr., Ph.D., published their findings March 4 in the journal Geriatrics. The study analyzed data from more than 17,000 stroke survivors who responded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's national Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, one of the largest health surveys in the world.
Younger survivors were almost twice as likely to report difficulty concentrating or remembering and experienced nearly double the number of poor mental health days in a given month compared to older adults. However, younger adults faced fewer physical difficulties, such as walking or climbing stairs.
Most of these challenges were exacerbated among younger adults who were not working. People experiencing worse mental and physical health probably have a harder time resuming employment because poor health makes it more difficult to perform many job-related tasks. At the same time, re-engaging with work could provide physical and psychosocial benefits while increasing access to health insurance, which could further support recovery.
While the onus should be on the health care system to better recognize and treat the unique challenges facing younger stroke survivors, Jacobs acknowledges that patients and their families may need to advocate to obtain the rehabilitative services they require.
"It is important to be your own advocate, because you need to facilitate not only your own reintegration into the workforce, but also into your family and your community," Jacobs said. "Without those support systems, you're not going to feel like you have a full recovery from this devastating health event."
