When your senior loved one comes home after a stroke they may be grappling with some big changes. Depending on how much physical damage they sustained as a result of the stroke they may not be able to do things that they used to be able to do for themselves. Home care assistance can help seniors maintain their independence and recover from the stroke in the familiar surroundings of their home. With home care assistance seniors can focus on rehabilitation and doing whatever they can to regain the physical and cognitive function that they may have lost as a result of the stroke. When seniors are recovering at home after a stroke it’s very important that they:
Have Healthy Meals
Good nutrition is an important part of recovery. Seniors who are recovering at home need to be eating healthy meals that have plenty of fruits and vegetables so that they are getting the vitamins and minerals they need. With home care assistance you can be sure that your senior loved one is getting plenty of healthy food every day to help them recover. And if your senior loved one is able to help cook meals and participate in meal planning and shopping they can do those activities with the support of a caregiver so they can do them safely.
Get Up And Get Moving Every Day
Exercise is one of the essential parts of stroke recovery. Exercise will help with blood circulation and may even help prevent future blood clots. Seniors should at least be up and walking for a short time each day. Even if it’s just walking around the yard or walking around the block at first it’s the act of getting up and walking that will help seniors recover their strength. As your senior parent gets stronger they may want to more exercise or try walking further. But at first just getting in a short walk every day should be one of the recovery goals that your senior loved one has.
Stay Hydrated
It’s always important for seniors to be drinking enough water, especially when they recovering from a stroke or illness. When your senior loved one has home care assistance a care provider can remind your senior loved one to drink water at regular times and make sure that they always have water available to them. Herbal tea can also help seniors stay hydrated and feel better. But seniors should go easy on caffeinated drinks like coffee which can be dehydrating.
Don’t Overdo It
Recovery is a process. For some seniors it’s a long process. You and your senior loved one will need to figure out together what the best recovery path is for your senior loved one. But it’s important for your senior loved one to not overdo it when it comes to their recovery. Trying to do to much too fast will cause them to lose any progress they have made. Slow and steady recovery starts with building good healthy habits. Home care assistance can help your aging parent make those lifestyle changes.
