5 Ways In-Home Care Can Help Your Senior Parent After A Stroke
In-home care can help seniors with needed support after a stroke so they can remain at home.
If your senior parent is recovering from a stroke, in-home care providers can help them through their recovery and after, if they need permanent help. Your mom or dad may be able to continue living in the home they love with support from in-home care services.
After a senior has a stroke they have a high risk of having another stroke, so it’s very important that your mom or dad is not left alone during their recovery period. When you can’t be with your senior parent, an in-home care provider can be there.
An in-home care provider can watch for any signs of a second stroke and get immediate medical help for your senior parent if they do have another stroke.
An in-home care provider can also help your senior parent by doing things like:
1. Assist with Physical Therapy Exercises
After a stroke, your mom or dad may experience weakness or reduced mobility on one side of their body. Physical therapy exercises are essential for regaining strength and improving coordination.
An in-home care provider can help your parent safely perform these exercises at home as directed by a physical therapist. They can assist with movements that improve balance, strength, and flexibility, ensuring your parent does each exercise safely and correctly.
2. Help with Speech and Communication Practice
Strokes can affect speech, language, and comprehension. If your senior parent is experiencing these challenges, a care provider can work with them on speech therapy exercises at home.
An in-home care provider can help your parent practice speaking clearly, using memory exercises, and even writing practice to regain communication skills. Daily support with speech exercises can make it easier to see progress over time.
If your mom or dad has a speech therapist, a home care provider can encourage your mom or dad to practice exercises recommended by their therapist.
3. Support Daily Living Skills
Stroke recovery often involves relearning everyday tasks, such as dressing, eating, and bathing. In-home care providers can work with your parent on these activities, providing hands-on support when needed.
By practicing these skills daily, your parent can regain independence and confidence. Care providers can also offer encouragement and strategies to make these tasks easier as strength and coordination improve. Having assistance with these daily life tasks can also help your mom or dad get back into a daily routine which will give them a sense of normalcy.
4. Encourage Mental Exercises and Cognitive Stimulation
Strokes can sometimes cause cognitive changes, such as memory issues or slower processing. In-home care providers can engage your parent in activities that stimulate their mind, like puzzles, memory games, or reading.
They can also encourage your parent to do mental exercises recommended by a cognitive therapist. This support is vital for restoring mental clarity, focus, and memory, helping your parent stay mentally sharp.
5. Provide Emotional Support and Motivation
Recovering from a stroke can be emotionally challenging. Your mom or dad may become frustrated, depressed, lonely, or anxious. They also may be scared to be alone.
An in-home care provider can be a comforting presence, offering encouragement and companionship every day. They can help celebrate small milestones, listen to concerns, and encourage positive thinking.
Emotional support is important while your mom or dad is adjusting to their new normal after a stroke. In-home care can provide the emotional support that your mom or dad needs to stay motivated and hopeful during their recovery.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering In-Home Care in Arlington, VA, please contact the caring staff at Thrive Health Care Services today. (703) 992-0484