Stroke recovery tends to begin in the hospital and continue at home. The majority of stroke survivors get better over a period of months and even years, which means they’ll have already been discharged by the time they see full recovery. These seven home remedies can increase your senior loved one’s ability to recover as well as possible.
1. Boost Range of Motion with Yoga
After a stroke, it’s common to have stiffness in the joints and muscles, which can be addressed by doing simple yoga poses. Keep in mind your loved one may need assistance while working through different poses to stay balanced.
2. Increase Social Opportunities to Strengthen Speech Abilities
Oral language is another area where stroke survivors tend to notice the effects of their health condition. Your loved one might not be up to having many visitors for a while, but he or she can enjoy having one or two close contacts available to help with practicing speech.
3. Try Tai Chi to Build Balance
As your loved one gains stability, he or she can use the gentle movements of tai chi to continue to build balance. These exercises are done in a standing position, so make sure to have a caregiver available to assist with the movements as your loved one gets stronger. Tai chi builds muscles and increases coordination and flexibility.
A professional home caregiver can help your loved one exercise safely. Home care service experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
4. Experiment with Aromatherapy for Stress Relief
Recovering from a stroke is stressful. Aromatherapy involves using specific scents to help seniors relax. For instance, lavender and vanilla are known for their relaxing effects. Other scents, such as citrus, can help seniors increase their alertness so therapy works better.
5. Use Massage Therapy to Restore Fine Motor Abilities
Simple massage techniques can be used to stimulate the nerves and muscles in your loved one’s extremities. As always, seniors should check with their doctors before undergoing any major type of massage. However, most can have hand and foot massages done by trained caregivers to restore sensation in limbs that are affected.
6. Switch to a Heart-Healthy Diet for Better Blood Flow
Your loved one’s meal plan is essential for recovery. Seniors may need to make dietary changes after strokes to reduce fat and salt in their diets. They also benefit from adding more nutritious vegetables and fruits that help the body stay strong. The fiber in these foods is also helpful for reducing cholesterol levels that could place your loved one at risk for a second stroke.
If you need help planning and preparing meals designed to boost your loved one’s stroke recovery, a professional caregiver can be a terrific resource. Families looking for top-rated Green Valley senior home care providers can reach out to Embrace In-Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
7. Use Assistive Devices to Build Independence
It may take a long time before your loved one is able to do many things independently. Assistive devices can help with recovery by giving your parent an added boost that lets him or her practice doing things without your assistance. Look for things such as sponges on extended handles that help seniors bathe or clean the house with less assistance as they get stronger.
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. Green Valley, AZ, live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. Call Embrace In-Home Care at (520) 625-2050 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.