Caring for a Loved One After a Stroke

According the Stroke Center, strokes are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and approximately 795,000 people suffer from a stroke each year.  This means that on average, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke.

Furthermore, strokes are the leading cause of serious, long-term disability.  The Stroke Center states that, “Family caregivers and friends play a critical role in a loved one’s recovery from stroke, particularly as time spent in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities continues to decrease.”  Since a stroke can take at least two years to recover from, most of the time a person spends recovering from the event is at home in the care of friends or family members.   

The WebMD site offers some good advice for anyone caring for a loved one recovering from a stroke.  Their first recommendation is to educating yourself as much as possible about their condition and prognosis.  Take advantage of a community or hospital run program to learn about stroke and the rehabilitation process.

They also advise families to look into their insurance and Medicare coverage.  This way you will know what type of expenses you will be expected to cover and not get any unpleasant surprises down the road.  Another tip from WebMD is to attend a few therapy sessions with your loved one so you can understand what they are going through and better support them during their recovery.    

Perhaps most importantly they recommend that you “assess your loved one's needs as well as your ability to meet them.”  This means you may need to seek some outside help from professionals who can assist you in providing the best care for them. 

Services such as SNYERGY HomeCare can provide assistance with a wide range of physical care services to help you or your loved one recover and cope following a stroke.   Our home care services are versatile, flexible, and customized for your comfort and peace of mind.  Contact us to learn more. 

*Our post is for information purposes only and not a substitute for seeking medical advice.

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we are one of the most trusted names in home care in Colorado serving the Front Range since 2006. We have grown to 5 offices and will add 2 more locations in 2015.  Our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".  Our mission is to ensure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.

Sources:webmd.com/stroke/features/stroke-recovery-tips-for-the-caregiver, strokecenter.org/patients/about-stroke/stroke-statistics/

The Importance of Companionship

Recent studies conducted on loneliness in aging adults prove how important companionship can be to the health and well-being of an individual.  AgingCare cites a study conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) that shows loneliness can hasten a senior’s decline and death.  UCSF’s reports that, “people 60-years-old and older who reported feeling lonely saw a 45 percent increase in their risk for death. Isolated elders also had a 59 percent greater risk of mental and physical decline than their more social counterparts.”

The study found that some seniors who are isolated seem to have lost the will to socialize and push people away.  For others, the feeling of loneliness may spring from the frustration of growing old and not being able to do the things they once enjoyed.  One unexpected result from the UCSF’s report was that two-thirds of the respondents who said they were lonely were married or living with someone.  The report showed that even while living in a nursing home or assisted living facility, some people still felt lonely. 

Care Novate suggests several things you can do to help a senior feel less isolated and alone.  They say it is important to engage your aging parent or loved one in conversations as it will help them feel appreciated and care for.  You need to take the time to ask questions and really listen to their stories about their past.  In addition you can help them to rekindle an interest in a hobby or to discover a new one, and find ways to help them socialize such as participating in a class.  

For families that live far away from their aging parent call frequently and send greeting cards or small gifts so they know you are thinking about them.  Also you may want to contact a home care agency such as SYNERGY HomeCare.  We provide companionship along with a host of other non-medical care services.  Contact us to learn more.   

Source:agingcare.com/Articles/loneliness-in-the-elderly-151549.htm,  carenovatemag.com/elderly-loneliness-older-adults-lonely/

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted names in home care in Colorado serving the front range since 2006. We have grown to 5 offices and are adding 2 more locations in 2015, and our successful growth can be summarized by one word, "Service".   Our mission is to ensure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all your questions.

Signs Your Loved One Needs More Help

Families can often be unaware that an aging parent or relative is entering a stage in their lives that they require more assistance to live safely and comfortable in their own home.  Denial can be a part of it as many seniors worry that if they admit to needing help, or accept assistance, they will lose their independence.  However the reverse can be true.  Getting the proper help may make the difference of whether they can continue to live safely at home. 

There are some general signs that your loved one needs help to maintain the best quality of life.  One of first things you will want to look for is changes is the way they live.  If your parent was once a good housekeeper but now the home is starting to look un-kept, there may be problems.  Another sign is if their appearance has changed and you notice they are not bathing regularly. 

A significant weight loss may mean your parent is having trouble preparing meals. More warning signs they need help is if they have difficulty getting up from a seated position or with walking, balance and mobility.  Be aware of any uncertainty and confusion when performing familiar tasks.  It is also common for seniors to have problems remembering to take their medications and require reminders to stay complaint in their care plan.  Additionally tasks such as running errands, getting to and from doctor appointments and grocery shopping may all be coming more difficult for them to do. 

At SYNERGY HomeCare, we offer a wide range of non-medical home care services designed to help seniors maintain the best quality of life possible in the comfort of their own home.  In addition our services include recovery assistance, new mothers care, respite for caregivers and much more. 

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted names in home care in Colorado. Our mission is to ensure that every client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services.  Please contact us for a complimentary in-home care assessment to learn more about our services.


 

Tips to Preventing Falls in the Home

Preventing falls in the home is especially important for seniors as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that one in every three older adults (aged 65 or older) falls each year.  In fact falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for older adults.  The CDC’s statistics indicate that 2.5 million elderly adults were treated in an emergency department in 2013 for nonfatal falls and almost three-quarters of a million were hospitalized.   

So what can be done to prevent or help to mitigate falls in the elderly?  To start with the National Institute of Health (NIH) recommends that seniors take steps to "fall proof" their homes, both inside and outdoors.  Most of their suggestions are easy to follow and do not require much effort or cost to implement.  Simple things like improving the lighting (especially on stairways and entrances), installing handrails and grab bars, and putting commonly used items more easily in reach can help to make a difference. 

The NIH recommends removing obstacles and clutter out of the way and make sure pathways throughout the house are wide open and clear.  Another tip is to check that carpets are securely attached to the floor and stairs, and in place of throw rugs, use non-slip rugs. On uncarpeted floors and stairs, apply non-slip strips.   Furthermore, have a lamp right next to your bed that is easy to turn on.  In the winter, avoid going out alone on icy sidewalks and be sure to wear the proper boots when you do go.

As part of our services, SYNERGY HomeCare offers Colorado seniors and their families a complimentary home safety assessment that helps to minimalize the risk of trips and falls at home.  Please contact us to learn more.  Our all-inclusive non-medical in home care is designed to help keep our clients safe and healthy while in the comfort of their own homes. 

Sources:  cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html

nihseniorhealth.gov/falls/homesafety/01.html  

A leader in the home health care field, SYNERGY caregivers provide in home care not only to seniors but also to special needs children, new mothers, and those recovering from illness or surgery. Our compassionate caregivers can assist you or your family member with daily personal activities, meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation, companionship, and much more.   Contact us for more information on our comprehensive home care services.