More than 750,000 Americans experience a stroke every year. Readjusting to life after a stroke can be overwhelming, but SYNERGY HomeCare Gerontologist Dr. Macie Smith has tips for a successful home-based recovery. Watch her video or read on to learn recommendations that can empower you or your loved one during the stroke recovery journey.
When focusing on stroke recovery at home, be sure to review all of the information you received from the hospital and/or rehab facility. This will include any new medications that have been prescribed. It will also include information about in-home care providers for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. If there are prescriptions for any durable medical equipment like a walker or gait belt, make sure to understand how to use them properly.
As you recalibrate to your at-home routine, it is important that you stick to the prescribed therapy sessions and that you do the prescribed exercises in between home visits from your therapists.
The biggest focus of stroke recovery is getting one’s strength back. But it’s equally important to recognize that a full recovery from a stroke may mean having a new baseline of ability and function. That means you may not get back to what you had before the stroke. Doing your therapy will mean that you get as much back as you possibly can.
Another important component of recovery relates to understanding the recovery journey, which is specific to each person. Knowing what to expect during recovery can help manage expectations so frustration or despair doesn’t set in. Talk with the doctors and therapists to get a clear picture on how much progress you might expect to make over specific time periods.
Pay attention to your or your loved one’s mental state during this period of recovery. An extreme sad mood lasting longer than two weeks may be a sign of depression, which will need to be addressed.
The bottom line is that there are a lot of moving parts during stroke recovery at home. Family caregivers may be overwhelmed and need some assistance with activities of daily living. Respite care for the family caregiver may also be warranted.
SYNERGY HomeCare offers highly personalized levels of quality care as early as pre-discharge from the hospital, and our Stroke Recovery program specializes in supporting a recovery plan at home–the best place to be.
To learn how SYNERGY HomeCare can support you following a stay in the hospital, click here.
Dr. Macie P. Smith is a licensed gerontology social worker who is focused on helping families support their aging loved ones through long-term care. Specifically, Dr. Smith educates caregivers on how to care for seniors with dementia. She is an advocate for specialized care and assists others in finding a way to provide a better quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Dr. Smith has dedicated over 22 years of her life working in gerontology and assisting families in finding personalized solutions for dementia care. For more articles by Dr. Macie Smith click here.
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SYNERGY HomeCare offers no obligation home assessments. Find a location near you or contact us to learn how we can help you have a safe and comfortable recovery following a stay in the hospital.
