Stroke recovery is often a long process. Once your senior loved one returns home from the hospital, he or she may need to rely on you for help with many daily needs. As your loved one gets ready to be discharged from the hospital, you can use these tips to make sure everything is in place to provide the best care possible.
Learn about the Effects of the Stroke
There are different types of strokes, and your loved one’s care plan will depend on his or her prognosis. Seniors who had mild strokes may only need small amounts of assistance as they regain their independence. Those who had major strokes that caused damage to critical parts of the brain may need long-term care that requires someone to stay with them around the clock.
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. Danville, CA, live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of an around-the-clock caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place.
Remove Obstacles in Walking Paths
All seniors should have clear walking paths in their homes. However, a senior who recently had a stroke has an increased fall risk. Visit your loved one’s home before he or she returns to see if furniture needs to be removed or rugs might need to be swapped out for bare floors. If you anticipate your loved one needing a wheelchair or walker, you also need to make sure there’s room for one.
Prepare a Recovery Room at Home
Your loved one may need to stay in a different part of the house that’s more accessible. Ideally, the recovery room should be located near a restroom. You may also need to place a small table near the bed for your loved one to be able to reach necessary items, such as his or her glasses or a cup of water.
Make Plans for Transportation
Most seniors will be asked to limit driving after having strokes, which is due partly to the lingering effects of strokes, such as weakness in the hands or legs, that slow reaction times. Your loved one may also take medications that make it unsafe to continue driving.
Since your loved one will need to make return visits to the doctor and attend rehabilitation sessions, make sure he or she has a safe ride. You can choose to drive your loved one yourself, or you can arrange for a professional caregiver to provide transportation.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of senior care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Assess the Need for Professional Assistance
Transportation isn’t the only area where your loved one may need professional assistance. After a stroke, your loved one may need more intensive forms of care than you’re comfortable providing. For example, your parent may need help bathing or using the restroom and prefer to have a professional caregiver handle this task rather than a close relative due to privacy concerns. Your loved one may also need help preparing meals or getting in and out of bed. Arrange for these types of help before your loved one gets home so he or she can focus on a safe recovery.
Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable home care. Danville families trust Assisting Hands Home Care to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call today.