After experiencing a stroke, your aging loved one needs to follow a comprehensive recovery plan. Without a solid plan in place, your parent might end up with a wide variety of secondary complications that impact physical and mental health. Luckily, many of those complications can be avoided as long as the stroke is treated right away and your loved one makes some lifestyle changes. Here are some tips for quicker stroke recovery
1. Choose the Right Stroke Recovery Center
Following a stroke, a senior must find a certified recovery center. At one of these centers, your loved one will have access to many different medical specialists, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and psychologists. Some stroke recovery centers even offer inpatient services so seniors can undergo intensive treatment for at least a few weeks. If you can’t find a good stroke recovery center, ask your loved one’s primary doctor for a recommendation.
2. Follow a Strict Diet
Your loved one’s dietary needs are going to change quite a bit after the stroke. Immediately following the event, your parent must stick to relatively soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow. Eating can be very difficult for stroke survivors, and your loved one could develop pneumonia if he or she eats the wrong foods. You should also make sure everything your loved one eats and drinks is filled with nutrients. A nutritional deficiency could slow recovery and potentially cause secondary health conditions. In Des Moines, in-home care agenciescan be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
3. Don’t Ignore the Medical Team’s Instructions
Many seniors are in complete denial after having a stroke, and some ignore the instructions medical professionals give them. Failing to follow those instructions could delay your loved one’s recovery and greatly increase the risk of a second stroke. You must also make sure your loved one attends all medical appointments and therapy sessions. During these appointments, the medical team will be able to catch minor health issues before they become serious.
4. Exercise as Much as Possible
Most experts agree stroke survivors should begin physical therapy as soon as they’ve been stabilized. In addition to meeting with a physical therapist, your loved one will need to exercise at home as well. The medical team should provide a safe and effective exercise routine that strengthens all the major muscle groups as well as the stabilizer muscles.A professional caregiver can help your loved one follow exercise safely during recovery. Families looking for top-rated home care service providerscan 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.
5. Consider Therapy
According to a recent study at Columbia University, just over 25 percent of all stroke survivors develop PTSD. Strokes can have a major impact on mental health, and those psychological issues must be addressed to avoid long-term problems. Meeting with a therapist or counselor a few times a week gives your loved one the opportunity to express his or her feelings and work through emotions in a safe environment. With a positive and healthy outlook on life, recovery can be much easier. Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Des Moines live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Home Care Assistance to enhance his or her quality of life. Call Home Care Assistance at (515) 264-2438 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.
