Stroke Care
By Leigh McDonald
Live In Care can be particularly beneficial for people who have had a stroke and need ongoing support to get home from hospital and remain in their own home.
One of the benefits of live-in home care is that it provides a high level of individualised support. The carer is able to focus their attention solely on the person they are caring for and can adjust their care plan as the person's needs change.
Recovering from a stroke can be challenging and often unpredictable.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, either by a blockage or bleeding in the brain. This can result in a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges, which can impact a person's ability to carry out daily activities and interact with others.
Recovering from the Physical impact of a stroke.
Depending on the location and severity of the stroke, a person may experience weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, difficulty with balance and coordination, and problems with speech and swallowing. Physical therapy is often a key part of stroke rehabilitation, helping to improve strength, range of motion, and overall physical function.
Recovering from the Cognitive impact of a stroke.
A stroke can affect a person's memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities, as well as their ability to communicate effectively. This can make it difficult to carry out daily tasks, such as managing finances or following a medication schedule. Cognitive rehabilitation, which may involve working with a speech therapist or occupational therapist, can help.
Emotional challenges during stroke recovery.
It is not uncommon for a person to experience feelings of depression, anxiety, or frustration in the wake of a stroke. These feelings may be compounded by the changes in lifestyle and routine that can come with stroke recovery, such as being unable to work or engage in activities that were once enjoyable.
In addition to the physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges of stroke recovery, there are also a range of practical challenges that may need to be addressed. For example, a person may need to modify their home environment to make it more accessible and safer, or they may require assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing or dressing.
Facing the uncertainty of recovery.
The extent of recovery can vary widely from person to person, and there is often no way to predict how much function a person will be able to regain. This can lead to feelings of frustration and hopelessness, particularly if a person is not seeing the progress they had hoped for. It is important for both the person recovering from a stroke and their caregivers to remain patient and focused on the progress being made, rather than dwelling on the challenges that remain.
7 Ways Live-In Care Supports Stroke Recovery
Despite the challenges of stroke recovery, there are also many reasons for hope. With the right support and resources, many people are able to regain much of their physical and cognitive function.
Supporting a person during stroke recovery is a multi-faceted task that involves providing emotional support, helping with physical therapy and daily activities, managing medical appointments and medications, and considering necessary adaptations in the home.
7 WAYS LIVE-IN CARE HELPS:
1 — Physical Support
Assisting in day-to-day tasks that might be difficult post-stroke, but aiding recovery by encouraging the person to do a little more for themselves each day.
2 — Emotional Support
It’s normal for someone to feel frustrated, fearful, or depressed due to their condition; especially when they’ve previously been very independent. Simply having someone on hand, listening to them, and reassuring them can be very helpful. A live-in carer can encourage them to express their feelings and provide positive reinforcement when they make progress.
3 — Exercise and Rehabilitation
A live-in carer can help a person perform physical therapy exercises at home as directed by the physical therapist. They can encourage regular exercise within their capability, even simple ones like moving an arm or a leg can help improve muscle strength and coordination. They can also encourage rest to avoid overexertion.
4 — Healthcare Coordination
A live-in care will have the oversight to help manage medication, doctor’s and therapist appointments, and follow-up visits. They can provide a wholistic view of the situation and help coordinate with other professionals.
5 — Diet and Nutrition
The preparation of healthy meals plays an important role in recovery, as well as following follow any dietary recommendations from their doctor or dietitian. People who have had a stroke may have swallowing difficulties, so it's essential to adjust the texture of the food as needed.
6 — Memory and Cognitive Skills
A live-in carer can help with cognitive exercises if they memory problems are a factor. These could be simple activities like reading, playing memory-boosting games, or practicing writing.
7 — Diet and Nutrition
Having someone on hand to interact with on a regular basis has been shown to support a faster recovery. Encouraging social activities, such as visits from friends, video calls with family members, or short outings if possible, to prevent feelings of isolation or depression.
Tailored 1-1 Support
Every person’s experience of stroke is unique and they will have different needs based on their specific symptoms and recovery process. A live-in carer can coordinate with family and a healthcare team to understand the best ways to support a person during their recovery at home.
Recovering from a stroke can be a challenging and often unpredictable process. Physical, cognitive, emotional, and practical challenges may all arise during stroke recovery, and it is important for both the person recovering from a stroke and their caregivers to remain patient and focused on the progress being made. With the right support and resources, however, many people are able to regain much of their function and continue to live full and meaningful lives.
If you’d like to know more about the process of setting up live-in care, read our article on How Live-In Care Works