Biggest Challenges Involved in Caring for an Elderly Stroke Survivor
By Home Care Assistance Des Moines 9 am on
Rehabilitation is always challenging for stroke survivors, but it can be just as difficult for family caregivers. Devoting time to caregiving and handling the adverse effects of the stroke can be a lot. Without assistance and robust physical and mental health, it could lead to caregiver burnout. Below are some of the most challenging tasks for stroke caregivers and tips they can use to address them.
Feeding
Chewing, swallowing, and using eating utensils can be difficult for senior stroke survivors, particularly during the first few months of recovery. These issues could require family caregivers to change the types of foods they prepare and adapt meals for their loved ones’ eating challenges. For instance, if your aging loved one has difficulty chewing food, you may need to puree the meals or ask a nutritionist about liquid diets that could benefit your loved one. It’s vital to develop a good meal plan based on your loved one’s preferences and abilities. Proper eating can boost mental and physical health during stroke recovery and lower the odds of malnutrition and failed treatment.Caring for a senior loved one 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 CareAssistance 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.
Bathing
Following strokes, seniors often face challenges with various tasks that require movement, such as bathing and grooming. A stroke impacts the brain and damages its ability to communicate with different body areas, including those responsible for physical actions. Strokes can also weaken muscles, making it difficult for seniors to lift their hands and other body parts while bathing. As a result, more responsibility falls upon family caregivers. With minimal help from your loved one, you might need your siblings to assist you with bathing and grooming your parent. You could also hire a caregiver for tasks associated with your loved one’s hygiene.Professional caregivers can be a fantastic source of information and support for families of seniors recovering from strokes. The type of at-home care Des Moines, IA, seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Home Care Assistance, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time.
Communicating
Many senior stroke survivors experience difficulties with speaking and comprehension. These issues make it challenging for family caregivers to hold conversations with their loved ones. As a result, caregivers have difficulty knowing when their loved ones need something essential, such as food or assistance with getting comfortable. You can develop strategies to simplify the communication process, such as using message boards, emotion cards, and nonverbal cues. Even when things are difficult, you must find a way to communicate with your parent. Communication is a crucial factor in lowering your parent’s risk of discomfort and aggressive behavior. It could also alert you to problems that require immediate medical attention.
Managing Depression
Elderly stroke survivors and their caregivers are at risk for mental and emotional problems. Therefore, family caregivers must learn to stay focused and positive during the recovery process. Make sure you have a support system you can rely on when you need assistance or someone to vent to about work, caregiving, and life. Surrounding yourself with people who care can boost your mood and enhance your caregiving abilities, which could be beneficial to your parent’s stroke recovery. 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. Des Moines, IA, 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. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Home Care Assistance today at (515) 264-2438.
