The time required for stroke recovery depends on the extent of neurological damage and varies widely among stroke survivors. Recovery can take weeks, months, or years, and while many stroke survivors recover fully, others face permanent disability. Fortunately, there are things your senior loved one can do to recover quickly from a stroke.
Try Physical & Occupational Therapy
Physical and occupational therapy help stroke survivors recover more quickly. When your loved one is enrolled in a physical therapy program, he or she will participate in various exercises to regain coordination and movement skills that may have been affected by the stroke. Occupational therapy can help stroke survivors restore the skills necessary to perform the tasks of daily life, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and grooming.
A professional caregiver can help your loved one safely follow a therapy plan during recovery. Families looking for top-rated elder care providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. 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.
Opt for Speech Therapy
Stroke survivors often have difficulty swallowing, and it’s sometimes necessary for new stroke survivors to consume foods that have been pureed or chopped. The speech therapist will teach your loved one exercises that enhance swallowing ability so the risk of choking is reduced. Exercises such as chin tucks can help food move through the esophagus without getting caught in the throat.
As the swallowing muscles in your loved one’s throat become stronger, he or she may eventually be able to eat regular foods instead of those that have been mechanically altered. Once the speech therapy program has been completed, your loved one may be able to eat the foods he or she enjoyed before the stroke.
Manage Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for strokes and heart attacks. When your loved one returns home from the hospital after a stroke, his or her blood pressure may remain high, which could hinder recovery and place him or her at risk for having another stroke. Managing hypertension can help your loved one recover faster because normal blood pressure enhances blood flow to the heart and brain while reducing the workload on the cardiovascular system and kidneys.
Make sure your loved one takes his or her prescribed medications, maintains a healthy weight, consumes a low-sodium diet, and keeps an eye on his or her blood pressure with an at-home blood pressure monitoring device. If your loved one doesn’t have this type of device, he or she can visit the local pharmacy or stop at the doctor’s office for periodic checks.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but senior 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 caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care Monmouth to enhance his or her quality of life.
Treat Depression
It’s not uncommon for stroke survivors to develop depression. If your loved one feels hopeless or sad after a stroke, talk to his or her physician about prescribing antidepressants.
In addition to medications, mental health therapy can also relieve depression so your loved one can concentrate on recovering from the stroke. A healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts, grains, and legumes can also boost mood.
At-home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. Our caregivers encourage seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call Assisting Hands Home Care today.
