Helping Seniors Recover After a Stroke
If you or a loved one has had a stroke, you are well aware of the myriad of complications that may arise during and after the healing process. Some of these adverse effects may be temporary, but many of them may result in long-term impairments or even permanent disability. Restoring what you can and adapting to any long-term adverse effects are the main goals of stroke rehabilitation. It’s all about getting used to a new routine and maintaining as much independence as possible throughout this process.
After a senior has a stroke, they may need more care than you can offer, and it may be harder to remain independent. In-home care providers can be a good option for seniors recovering from a stroke. Many seniors want to continue living on their own and not feel like a burden to family members. In-home care providers can help a senior recovering feel independent while living on their own after having a stroke. This means you can worry less about your senior.
Recovery often requires a proactive strategy for seniors; this is something caregivers may need to help with. Adapting to new changes and obtaining more emotional, social, and physical support may be necessary. Let’s take a look at some things you may do to improve your recovery after a stroke.
What Are Side Effects of a Stroke
There are physical, mental, and cognitive side effects of having a stroke. A senior may experience one or a few of them or all of them. Each stroke is different per person, and it can be hard to compare experiences.
A few of the physical side effects are things like dysphasia, vision impairment, fatigue, seizures, and sleeping trouble. The mental side effects include personality changes, depression, and pseudobulbar affect. Lastly, cognitive effects include things like memory loss and vascular dementia.
How You Can Help Recovery
Every senior is different and will recover at their own speed. It will also drastically depend on the side effects that they are experiencing. However, there are some easy ways that you and in-home care can work together to make a recovery easier for a senior.
Create Realistic Goals
Set realistic rehabilitation objectives with your loved one. Consider the various side effects and make relevant and attainable objectives. Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting unachievable goals. While setting objectives is essential, they shouldn’t be impossibly difficult. Focus on small steps first that will lead to an overall bigger goal.
Keep Exercising
Working with a loved one’s doctor or physical therapist may help you and the caregiver understand what type of exercises a senior should be doing after a stroke. This will help you encourage the senior to keep moving and understand what kind of small objectives you can set together. Exercises can be critical when trying to recover after having a stroke.
Focus on Mental Health
If your loved one has been through a stroke, it can feel like a death sentence. These thoughts can easily lead to depression if they don’t focus on their mental health. In some cases, a therapist may be a great tool to focus on the mental health of a senior.
If you or an aging loved one is considering in-home care in Monroe, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care today. Call (732) 607-8870.
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