The older seniors get, the more likely they are to face serious health complications. Strokes are one of the most common medical conditions among the elderly. A stroke occurs when the brain doesn’t receive enough blood, and it can lead to death. If your senior parent has a stroke, you can take the following steps to boost his or her wellbeing.
Recognize the Symptoms
If you’re caring for an elderly parent, it’s best to know the warning signs of strokes so you can keep an eye out for them. Generally, a stroke can cause weakness on one side of the body, difficulty talking, walking, or understanding speech, numbness, vertigo, and confusion. Some people may also experience severe headaches during strokes.
Caring for senior loved ones 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 Care Assistance 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.
Seek Medical Attention
In the event your loved one experiences a stroke, call 911 immediately. Depending on the symptoms and the type of stroke as well as test results and assessments made by doctors, your loved one will receive treatment and may possibly stay in the hospital.
Consider Stroke Rehabilitation
After strokes, many seniors notice changes in their physical abilities. Stroke rehabilitation can help your loved one return to his or her normal way of life. Depending on the severity of your loved one’s disability, rehabilitation could take a few weeks or a few months. During the rehabilitation sessions, your loved one is likely to work with a team of therapists on areas such as speech and physical movements.
Encourage a Healthier Lifestyle
Another thing your loved one should do after a stroke is lead a healthier lifestyle. If the stroke was caused by an underlying condition like heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, it’s important to get the condition under control immediately. In the event your loved one smokes, it’s a great time to stop. It’s also advisable to follow a more nutritious diet and start exercising for at least 30 minutes every day.
Providing post-stroke care for a loved one can be challenging. Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Huntsville 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.
Pay Attention to Emotional Health
A stroke can have an impact on emotional health. If the stroke caused permanent disabilities or affected your loved one’s independence, it could also lead to anxiety and depression. Pay attention to your loved one’s emotional state. If your parent seems restless, angry, sad, depressed, or hopeless, he or she may need to seek help from a mental health specialist.
Modify the Home
Whether your loved one returns to his or her home or comes to live with you after a stroke, you may need to make some modifications to the living environment. For example, if your loved one requires a walker, cane, or wheelchair to get around, make sure there’s space to move from room to room. You’ll probably need a ramp leading to a door, and you may even be required to help with daily tasks like feeding and hygiene.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Huntsville elderly home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help. If your loved one needs assistance with the challenges of aging, reach out to one of our knowledgeable, compassionate Care Managers today at (256) 716-9940.