What Do You Need to Know to Help a Senior Recover from a Stroke?
September 4, 2020
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A stroke can seem to come out of nowhere, but there are usually warning signs. If your elderly family member has had a
stroke, you need to know what to do to be there for her.
Learn as Much as You Can about Her Current Condition
Most people know only the basics about strokes. You and your senior are now in a position where you need to become incredibly knowledgeable in general about strokes and about her health in particular. This is going to allow you to formulate a plan for going forward.
Talk to Her Doctor about Stroke Rehabilitation
One of the ways that your elderly family member may be able to recover more quickly is through stroke rehabilitation programs. These are often something that your elderly family member participates in before coming home from the hospital if her stroke was severe. She may also have outpatient rehabilitation from home if she’s able to go home fairly quickly.
Learn What Might Make a Second Stroke Possible
Your senior’s first stroke puts her at higher risk of having another stroke, so it’s vital to know what those risk factors and signs are. Talk to your senior’s doctor about her specific risk factors. There may be a lot of changes coming for your senior, especially around her diet and other choices, like whether she needs to give up smoking now.
Get Honest about Your Ability to Help with Hands-on Tasks
As much as you may want to be able to be the sole source of help for your senior, that may not be possible. Get really clear about what you’re going to be able to do for her yourself and what help you’re both going to need. Home health care is going to be an excellent resource for you both. They can connect your senior with a variety of resources she may need while also ensuring that she’s taken care of medically.
Take Care of Yourself, Too
This is an incredibly stressful time for your senior and for you. Make sure that you’re taking care of yourself as well as you can while you also care for your senior. You need to be getting rest and eating the right foods, too, so that you can be there to support her in the ways that she needs you most.
There are so many factors to keep in mind while you’re helping your senior to recover from a stroke. Many of those factors are completely out of anyone’s hands, so you can only do the best you can with what you can actually do.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home health care in Sandy, UT, contact the caring staff at Interim Healthcare. Call today 801-401-3515.
Author: Michael and Marlena Hawkins, Owners, Interim HealthCare, Salt Lake City, UT
Interim HealthCare of Salt Lake City has been in business since February 2014, providing in-home personal care and support services that help our elderly and/or disabled neighbors live enriched, safe and independent lives. Our goal is to provide customized care and support services that make it possible for our clients to remain in the comfort of their own homes rather than relocate to an assisted living facility. Interim HealthCare is family owned by Michael and Marlana Hawkins, and is a Veteran Owned Small Business.
