If your parent has recently had a stroke that has left them requiring care, you’re not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 4 seconds an American has a stroke. Right now, you might be wondering if your parent will get better, of if they will be disabled for life. You might also be wondering how you’re going to manage your parent’s care over the months to come. Being a family caregiver for a senior parent who has had a stroke is no easy task, so we’ve compiled some tips to help you take care of your parent.
#1 Get Educated About Stroke
If you’ve never had any experience with stroke, you may not know much about the condition. Compile a list of questions to ask your parent’s medical team. Find out what you can expect during your parent’s recovery period. If there are classes or programs offered by the hospital or other local organizations, take advantage of them.
#2 Determine if You Need Help
Depending on your parent’s level of disability, they may need round the clock care. If that’s the case, you should not expect to do it alone. You may want to hire a professional elder care provider through an agency to help with care so that you can continue to work and spend time with your family and friends. An elder care provider can come to your parent’s home to help with things like dressing, personal care, eating, and household tasks.
#3 Reduce the Risks of Another Stroke
People who have had a stroke are at increased risk for having another. Make sure your parent follows the recommendations made by their medical care team, including taking prescribed medications and doing the exercises recommended by therapists. It’s also important for your parent to eat healthy meals. An elder care provider can help keep your parent on the right path by helping them to get to medical appointments, reminding them to take medications, and preparing healthy meals.
#4 Attend Therapy Sessions with Your Parent
Going to therapy sessions with your parent can help you to better support them as they recover. You’ll get a better understanding of the types of activities the therapist prescribes and be able to encourage your parent through the process. A therapist can teach you how to assist your parent without doing too much so that they get the best benefit from the exercises, but also remain safe.
#5 Try Not to Get Discouraged
During the first three or four months following a stroke, your parent will likely see the most rapid improvement of the recovery process. However, that does not mean that they will not get any better after those initial months. Sometimes stroke survivors continue to improve even into the second year of the recovery period.
If you or a family member are in need of elder care in Plantation, FL, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770. Providing service in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Weston, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, Lighthouse Point, and Wilton Manors.
Sources
http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/LifeAfterStroke/ForFamilyCaregivers/CaringforYourLovedOne/15-Things-Caregivers-Should-Know-After-a-Loved-One-Has-Had-a-Stroke_UCM_310762_Article.jsp#.WSb72WjyvIU
http://www.webmd.com/stroke/features/stroke-recovery-tips-for-the-caregiver#1
https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm
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