Pre-planning is Key

Recovery at home can always be a lot smoother if you plan ahead of time, prior to being discharged from the hospital or after rehabilitation. The planning should begin on the first day of admission and should begin with lots of questions for the doctors, nurses, therapist, social workers, etc.  They are all excellent resources to help you understand you or your loved ones physical limitations that may require medical equipment or home care services. 

Anesthesia after surgery can stay in your system for  up to a week after surgery, therefore it is important to eliminate things that can become a fall hazard. Such, as throw rugs, objects in walkways, and poor lighting. Also, remember the following:

• Sleep in a bedroom near a bathroom
• Place night lights in hallways.
• Get rid of the clutter in your home.
• Wear flat shoes or slippers.
  

Why Home Care

Home care allows individuals to maintain their independence at home. In addition to the comfort of living in familiar surroundings during your recovery, home care can often cost less and come with fewer risks than in-facility care. You’ll sleep better and, if you can follow your doctor’s rehab regimen, you can heal more quickly. Just remember to discuss your options with your doctor and take precautions around the house if you want to get the most out of healing at home.

In the United States, approximately 795,000 people have a stroke each year. If you are the caregiver of a loved one who has suffered a stroke, you need to know how to care for their specific post-stroke health needs.

The physical impact of a stroke can be slight or devastating, but all take great compassion in order to help your loved one recover from a stroke. Be aware that a stroke may cause:

Weakness on one side of the body. This weakness may create problems with muscle function and movement. As a result, your loved one may have trouble walking and/or grasping objects.

Joint pain and rigidity. The joints may become tight or lock up altogether on the side damaged by the stroke. Movement is essential to keep the joint from freezing and to make sure that it can move easily as strength returns. If muscle spasms occur, inform your loved one’s doctor right away. These may need to be addressed with medication, injections, or nerve blocks.

Altered senses and spatial relationships. Stroke may cause the senior to feel pain, numbness or tingling in the limbs. It can also impair one’s sense of touch and the ability to feel hot and cold, which can be very dangerous. Do not allow your loved one to try to cook and turn down the temperature of hot water to prevent scalding.

Problems judging the position of parts of the body. This may cause difficulties in judging the distance, size, position, or rate of movement of the arms and legs. This spatial disconnect can cause tripping, falling and knocking things over. Make sure your home is fall-proof to avoid further injuries.

Problems with speech and language. These deficits are called “aphasia” and usually occur when the stroke damages the left side of the brain, which is the language center. Some people who have aphasia may not be able to understand written or spoken language or express their own thoughts through speech. Speech therapy may help to recover some or all of these language skills.

A sense of grief. Fear, anxiety, anger, sadness, frustration, grief and depression are common after a stroke. Your loved one may feel a deep sense of grief for the active lifestyle they have lost. Face these worries with your loved one. Encourage them to stay in touch with friends and invite them to visit. Help your loved one to play games with you and practice new skills.

We are independently owned and operated and are excited to provide many unique home care services to the community! We're passionate about helping our clients age gracefully in the comfort of their own home. We specialize in providing in-home services in a kind, compassionate and professional manner. Services are provided 4 to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on an as needed hourly or 24 hour basis to those individual needing added l care and assistance to live independently at home. All of our caregivers go through extensive background checks, educational training and drug testing prior to being hired. The owner has over 20 years experience in dementia and Alzheimer's care, geriatric care, skilled nursing and business management.