Stroke Recovery Advice for Senior Caregivers

A stroke can be a frightening event with serious consequences, and compassionate, expert care is key to making the best recovery possible. Here are some tips for caregivers from our home health aide services team on how to cope with this recovery period and give your loved one the support they need.

Change Your Caregiving Routine

Strokes can cause significant changes in your loved one’s temperament, personality and physical abilities. These can be temporary or permanent depending on the severity and location of the stroke. This means that your regular caregiving schedule will have to be completely rethought in order to meet new challenges as your loved one recovers.

Some of the most common results of a stroke include difficulty walking, eating, or speaking. Often, patients also have trouble focusing their attention, remembering things or even recognizing people. It’s important to meet with your loved one’s physician in person to discuss exactly what to expect from your loved one’s current condition and how permanent these effects may be. Always remember that no two strokes are the same, and everyone recovers differently, so there can be no set timeline or definite expectations of recovery.

Speak to the physician about any new medications your loved one will be on. Take a list of all current medications and go through them with the physician to ensure a clear understanding of when they should be taken, the possible side effects and to confirm that there aren’t any medication combinations that should be avoided.

Emotional Support is Essential

Recovering from a stroke is a confusing and frightening experience, and it is normal for patients to be upset, scared of future health problems, confused and even frustrated. An important role for caregivers is to provide emotional support — helping to keep your loved one motivated in their recovery, and watch for signs of anxiety and depression.

Don’t be Afraid to Get Professional Assistance from Home Health Aide Services in New Jersey

Stroke patients are a big adjustment for caregivers, and usually require intense care especially in the beginning of their recovery. As a caregiver, getting the assistance of a home health aide can be the best way of getting the support and guidance you need to care for your loved one, as well as relief assistance to help you focus on your loved one’s recovery.

As part of United Methodist Communities, a non-profit organization in New Jersey, we offer at home care for the elderly through trained, experienced aides to help your loved one as they recover from a stroke. Our respite care and senior home care services cover everything from companionship and help around the home to 24-hour live-in care. Tailored to what you and your loved one require, our services are scalable and by-the-hour or live-in, allowing you to develop a custom care plan.

For more information on respite care and our home health aide services, please contact us today or visit our website at https://umcommunities.org/homeworks/Home-Heath-Aid-services