After your loved one has a stroke, they may need extra help to support their recovery. They may not be able to live on their own, and may need to either live at home with you, or have the assistance of in-home caregivers 24/7. Most seniors recover faster in a comfortable home environment, and feel safer and more at ease when they are surrounded by familiar people and things.

If you plan on acting as your loved one’s caregiver post-stroke, there are some things that you can do to support their recovery, ensure their health and safety, and maintain the balance and comfort of your household. Here is a guide to supporting seniors through recovery after a stroke.

Understand the Type of Care Your Loved One Needs

The first thing that you need to do is set up a meeting with your loved one’s physician or care team. If they have been recovering in a hospital, rehabilitation facility, or other medical facility, you will need to set up a discharge meeting. During this meeting, take notes or record the conversation so that you have a record of your loved one’s needs once they transition to in-home care. You will want to bring a list of questions to ask and make sure that you know if your loved one needs help with:

Taking medications on time
Getting around your home safely
Using assistive devices
Feeding themselves or making meals
Monitoring vital signs
Getting in and out of bed
Toileting and bathing
Dressing and grooming
Communicating with others
Undergoing specific speech therapy and occupational therapy exercises

You will also need to know what you should do to reduce your loved one’s risk of having another stroke. You may need to reinforce diet or lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol, and getting enough exercise.

Improve the Safety of Your Home

Your loved one’s physician or care team may recommend that you make changes at home to help your loved one get around easier and prevent accidents or injuries. Making adaptations to your home will help your loved one maintain independence as well. If you schedule a home safety evaluation, you can get advice and recommendations from a professional who specializes in in-home caregiving or aging in place. They can recommend repairs, upgrades, and home improvements that reduce your loved one’s risk of a fall and ensure their health and safety as they recover. You may need to:

Put non-slip mats in showers or baths
Install a shower seat
Install safety bars in the shower or tub and next to the toilet
Install an adjustable bed or hospital bed that has rails
Remove any trip hazards from floors like extension cords or cables
Repair damaged flooring
Upgrade lighting through your home’s interior and exterior
Remove area rugs
Stabilize furniture
Ensure clear, easy to navigate pathways throughout the home
Install wheelchair ramps

Set Up Appointments With Their Recovery Team

Your loved one will need to have regular follow-up visits with key members of their care team. This may include a primary care doctor, a neurologist, a cardiologist, a nutritionist, a speech therapist, and a physical or occupational therapist. These meetings may happen at your home or at an outside facility. Make a schedule of appointment dates and plan ahead of time for transportation needs.

Prepare for Changes in Behavior and Abilities

Prepare yourself and other family members for changes in your loved one’s behavior. They may be depressed, anxious, fearful, irritable, short-tempered, confused, and easily distracted. They may experience issues with memory and concentration. They may resent the fact that they now need help, and may lash out when help is offered. They may also have severe changes in their abilities.

They may have trouble communicating clearly, which can cause frustration. Try to be patient and understanding and give your loved one the chance to speak. Do not interrupt or show your frustration. Keep background noise and distractions to a minimum when speaking, and use non-verbal cues as much as possible.

Make Eating and Drinking Easier and Safer

The stroke may also have affected your loved one’s ability to eat and drink. They may have trouble preparing food, cutting food, and chewing and swallowing food. You may need to make changes to their diet and eating routine to make it easier and safer. Consult with your loved one’s physician and care team to determine the most appropriate diet. You can also try:

Using straws or putting liquids in cups with lids
Preparing soft foods that are easy to swallow
Sitting at a table at meal times
Reducing distractions during meals
Ensuring your loved one gets enough calories, nutrients, and water

Protect Their Emotional Well-Being

You also need to care for your loved one’s emotional well-being. Make sure your loved one has emotional support and companionship so that they don’t feel isolated or depressed. Try to:

Maintain your patience
Speak in a caring and loving way
Be respectful and honor your loved one’s feelings and wishes whenever possible
Be empathetic
Empower your loved one to maintain some independence and privacy
Ensure your loved one has a support team and can regularly see friends and family

Hire the Right Type of In-Home Caregiver

You will need to hire an in-home caregiver to provide respite care when you need a break, and to provide 24/7 care for your loved one if they have significant medical needs. Talk to your loved one’s physician about what type of caregiver your loved one needs:

Skilled Home Healthcare and Rehabilitation – A skilled nursing caregiver can provide medical treatments in the home, administer medication, monitor health and vital signs, and provide occupational and physical therapy.
Non-medical In-home Care – A non-medical in-home caregiver can assist with the activities of daily living, do light housework, and provide companionship and transportation.
Respite Care – A respite caregiver can provide in-home care or senior care when you need a break.
Companionship and Transportation – A caregiver can also offer companionship and socialization while you’re at work or out of the home. They can also transport your loved one to medical appointments and social activities.
Memory Care – Some people experience cognitive difficulties after a stroke. Your loved one may need a specialized type of care, such as memory care or Alzheimer’s care if they have developed cognitive problems or dementia as a result of their stroke.

Call Placita In Home Care for Compassionate In-Home Care Services

At Placita In Home Care, our skilled, compassionate home caregivers can provide your loved one with care and companionship during stroke recovery. We can offer ongoing, scheduled home care services or respite care services. We also offer in-home hospice care and post-surgical care, recovery, and rehabilitation assistance.

If you need to ensure your home’s safety before your loved one moves in, we can schedule a complimentary home safety evaluation and refer you to a reputable local handyman service for repairs and improvements. To schedule a consultation for in-home care in the Tucson or Phoenix metro area, call us today or fill out our contact form online.