By Dr. Macie Smith
More than 750,000 Americans experience a stroke every year. Dr. Macie Smith, SYNERGY HomeCare gerontologist, offers tips for a home-based recovery.
It’s well documented that people recovering from injury or illness are happiest and healthiest when they recover where they are most comfortable—in their own homes. Take the following steps to support a comfortable recovery at home following a stroke.
Make a list of important information.
Include the following on your list:
- A complete list of current medications
- Contact information for all doctors, specialists and home health providers
- Information about prescribed in-home care providers such as physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists
- Note what constitutes a medical emergency and what to do when one occurs
- All durable medical equipment (DME) that has been prescribed or recommended and an understanding of how to use it
Stick to prescribed rehabilitation therapies.
The biggest focus of stroke recovery is getting one’s strength back, recognizing that a full recovery may mean having a new baseline of ability and function. Sticking to prescribed rehabilitation therapies is critical, as are recommended exercises and activities to do in-between therapy sessions.
Understand the recovery journey.
Another important component of recovery relates to understanding the recovery journey, which is specific to each person. This can help manage expectations and timelines to keep frustration and despair at bay. Talk with your doctors and therapists to get a clear picture on how much progress you can be expected 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.
Seek caregiving support when needed.
The bottom line is that there are a lot of moving parts during stroke recovery. 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. At all levels of care, SYNERGY HomeCare supports your recovery plan while anticipating your personal needs as you go through your healing journey.
To learn how SYNERGY HomeCare can support you following a stay in the hospital, visit SYNERGYHomeCare.com.
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, go to https://synergyhomecare.com/blog/.
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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.
