During the initial stages of your senior loved one’s stroke recovery, you might have been focused on learning everything you could from the hospital’s care team. Now that your loved one is ready to come home, you’re likely facing new challenges and concerns. Stroke survivors are at greater risk for falls and other mishaps that can hinder their recovery, but most risks are easy to eliminate by focusing on these essential safeguards.
Create Clear Walkways
Your loved one’s abilities may change depending on the type of stroke he or she had along with its location in the brain. Many seniors face new mobility challenges that can interfere with their ability to walk. Moving furniture and other items out of the walkways gives them clearer paths, which can minimize the risk of slip-and-fall accidents. You might also need to remove rugs and give your loved one skid-resistant socks or house slippers to help him or her move around safely.
Strokes are just one of the many serious health issues older adults are susceptible to. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of at-home care Fort Lauderdale, FL, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Reorganize Essential Items for Easy Access
Reaching overhead to remove heavy dishes from a shelf might not be possible during recovery if your loved one has mobility challenges that involve the hands and arms. However, bending over to retrieve items could cause your loved one to feel dizzy. Try to store items in spaces your loved one can easily access. For instance, you might want to move clothing to a drawer your parent can easily reach. Or you could have a caregiver set out the clothing each day.
Add More Lighting
Many homes lack adequate lighting, which can increase the risk of falls. Adding motion-sensitive lighting makes it easier to move throughout the house at night without having to search for a light switch. Your loved one may also benefit from having a light near the bed to provide more visibility when getting up at night. Under-cabinet lighting is another option that can make it easier for seniors to see as they complete their daily activities.
Senior stroke survivors may need help with a variety of everyday tasks. 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 Assisting Hands Home Care for the help they need. We provide high-quality in-home care and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Install Handrails & Other Accessibility Equipment
You’ll find an array of different devices that are all designed to make specific activities easier for seniors with mobility challenges. Many stroke survivors have difficulty lifting their legs over high tub ledges or maintaining their balance on slippery surfaces. Handrails in the bathroom can provide more stability.
Weak hand muscles can also make it difficult to open doors. Adding doorknob extensions or switching to lever handles can ensure your loved one can exit a room in an emergency.
Arrange for In-Home Assistance
Some tasks simply need a human’s touch. Before your loved one comes home, take a look at his or her needs and discuss them with your family. For needs your family can’t meet, such as assisting with transfers and care at night, consider hiring a professional caregiver. The caregiver can assist with medication reminders, personal hygiene, and other tasks your loved one might need help with during recovery.
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home care service professionals are trained to help seniors who need extensive assistance. With the help of an in-home caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. Assisting Hands Home Care will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at +1 754-900-5102 to learn more about our flexible care plans.
