If a loved one has suffered from a stroke, then they may struggle with lasting side effects as a result. The road to recovery and rehabilitation can be a long one, but with your support and the support of professionals, stroke survivors can maintain a high quality of life. One way to assist seniors after a stroke is through home care. Professional caregivers can help seniors with everyday tasks and adapt to their lives post-stroke. Here’s how home care may benefit the stroke survivors in your life.
Ambulation Assistance
A stroke may affect mobility on one side or both sides of the body — although usually one side is affected more than the other. Seniors might struggle to walk on their own, which significantly limits their independence. Caregivers can help seniors ambulate safely wherever they need to go — to the bathroom, grocery store, doctor’s appointments, and more. Our caregivers can also recommend assistive devices, like canes or walkers, as needed and help seniors learn how to use them properly. This assistance can help give seniors back some of their independence and enable them to continue living safely at home.
Home Safety
Caregivers can also ensure a safe care environment so that a senior who has survived a stroke doesn’t trip over rugs or stumble over clutter in the bedroom. Our caregivers are specially trained to look for fall risks or potential hazards at home each time they take on a shift. Additionally, part of signing on with services from Caring Senior Service is our Home Safety Assessment. A qualified professional inspects the care environment and provide actionable suggestions to help make the environment safer.
We also offer a free home safety assessment. Reach out to your local Caring team to get more details.
Watch for Risk Factors
Seniors who have suffered from a stroke are more likely to suffer from another stroke in the future. Caregivers can look for stroke risk factors and help seniors make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk. For example, if a senior smokes, a caregiver can provide the support and motivation that they might need to quit. Our caregivers can also help seniors perform regular exercise, eat healthy, and manage existing health conditions to help reduce their risks of a stroke in the future.
Meal Preparation
After a stroke, seniors may face struggles to perform everyday tasks, like cooking! Imagine not being able to lift up a pan to put it on the stove or having the dexterity to wield a knife. Stroke survivors may face such challenges. Plus, the kitchen has heavy appliances and sharp objects that can be dangerous to seniors. Caregivers can work with seniors to prepare and cook healthy meals so they can maintain proper nutrition. We can also assist with grocery shopping and meal prep, making meals that much easier for a senior and their family.
Help with Rehab
Seniors embarking on the road of stroke rehabilitation may visit with many healthcare professionals, from speech pathologists to dietitians and primary care doctors to physical therapists. Each of these practitioners may have different prescribed exercises for a senior to complete to help them regain independence. Caregivers can help motivate seniors to complete their exercises and can also assist them when needed. This can often give them the confidence or a needed reminder to continue working toward progress.
Additionally, caregivers can attend doctor’s appointments and therapy sessions so that they know exactly how to perform each exercise properly. Caregivers can provide transportation to and from these appointments and take notes during the visit, so that family members and other individuals involved in a senior’s care can stay on the same page.
Companionship
Seniors may feel lonely after a stroke, especially if they have experienced a severe loss of independence. Professional caregivers can provide companionship during this time. And companionship to us is much more than just sitting with a senior in their home. Caregivers arrange activities that a senior enjoys, like watching a movie or reading a book, or they can simply listen to how a senior is feeling. This companionship and social engagement can help them avoid feelings of loneliness, isolation, and even depression as they work through the emotional effects of a stroke.
Errands
Because stroke survivors may have limited independence after their stroke, they may need help with day-to-day errands, like grocery shopping, checking the mailbox, or picking up a prescription. Caregivers can assist seniors by running errands on their behalf or helping seniors perform their regular errands. This can seniors continue with their routine, which can be helpful during their recovery.
These are just a few ways that the caregivers at Caring Senior Service can help your loved ones after they have suffered from a stroke. Our caregivers are specifically trained in assisting stroke survivors, and we offer a stroke-specific care program adapted to the unique needs of these seniors. You can learn more about our stroke-specific care and don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts with any questions you might have. We know that a stroke can be life-changing for a senior and for their families, and we want to do everything we can to help seniors remain healthy, happy, and at home.
