After a senior has a stroke and is beginning the rehabilitation process, returning home to family and friends can ensure he or she has the support, assistance, and encouragement needed for a safe recovery. While basic home modifications for mobility are essential for helping someone recover from a stroke, family members should also use the following tips to ensure their elderly loved ones are as safe as possible at all times.
Assist with Grocery Shopping
One of the lesser-known potential effects of a stroke is the inability to eat. Your loved one may have difficulty swallowing solid food and need help following a healthy diet to reduce the risk of another stroke. Head to your local grocery store and purchase items that are very soft or come in liquid form, such as special nutrient-dense protein shakes, fruit and vegetable juices, applesauce, and yogurt.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Note Any Changes in Mood
Stroke survivors, regardless of age, often experience lengthy bouts of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological issues. While it’s normal for stroke survivors to experience a variety of emotions during recovery, significant mood changes and episodes of depression that last for an extended time are signs of major psychological problems. Spend as much time as you can with your loved one and monitor his or her mood and behavior. If anything seems out of place, contact a healthcare professional immediately.
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Montgomery, AL, live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place.
Provide Regular Medication Reminders
It’s estimated that roughly 43 percent of stroke survivors will experience a second stroke within five years of the first one. While preventative medications are prescribed to stroke survivors, seniors often forget to take their medications on time, if at all. Medications commonly prescribed for stroke survivors include antihypertensive and antithrombotic drugs. Because a regimen of prescribed medications statistically reduces the risk of a second stroke by up to 80 percent, it’s extremely important to remind stroke survivors to take their medications at the proper time or hire in-home caregivers who can provide reminders in accordance with doctors’ recommendations.
Strokes are just one of the many serious health issues older adults are susceptible to. Families looking for top-rated Montgomery elderly home care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call at (334) 593-3988 today.