Care at home during the stroke recovery process is an important factor. It helps the affected person adapt to life after an episode.
Care at home during the stroke recovery process is an important factor. It helps the affected person adapt to life after an episode.
Live-in care is centred around your needs, or those of your loved one, in a way that’s not possible with a typical residential care arrangement. It enables a holistic approach that supports medical recovery, participation in social activities and sense of independence.
Read on to find out how care at home could help support you or your loved one throughout the stroke recovery process.
Adapting to care
Around 152,000 people experience a stroke each year in the UK. A stroke can affect people of any age in any physical condition, though 75% of reported strokes occur among the over 65s.
This means that, in many cases, a previously healthy person may have to adapt quickly to the idea of round-the-clock care. Without enough time to comprehensively consider various care options, this process can be fraught with emotion and stress.
But, by taking on care at home, upheaval can be minimised for you or your loved one, enabling them to begin rehabilitation in a familiar and welcoming environment full of cherished memories.
Care at home ensures you or your loved one can keep going with much of their regular routine, and have more of a say over how their care is structured.
The home is a healthy environment in which to start relearning skills affected by a stroke, or to adapt to physical limitations. A live-in carer will offer support while the affected person completes household tasks independently, helping them maintain a sense of normality.
Personalised care
The risk of a second stroke is highest in the month following the initial episode. Care at home ensures there’s always someone on hand to provide assistance and support when it’s needed.
The personalised approach enabled by live-in care can help you or your loved one continue to engage with the things they love in life. With such a dedicated care team, you or your loved one can develop a friendly relationship that offers much-needed social interaction during the stroke recovery process.
People’s appetites can change greatly following a stroke. Live-in carers will create a bespoke meal plan based on personal tastes, as well as their overall nutritional needs.
Rehabilitation
Stroke rehabilitation is a complex process that ties in doctors, physiotherapists, dieticians, occupational, speech and language therapists.
A live-in carer will help to liaise with all these health professionals on behalf of you or your loved one, reducing stress at this important time and ensuring instructions are carried out to the letter.
They can assist with setting holistic rehabilitation goals, and support you or your loved one as they work towards these on a day-to-day basis. They can also make sure that medication is being taken as recommended by the doctor.
Eventually, this should enable you or your loved one to regain strength, muscle tone, speech, mobility and – most importantly – independence.
Stroke recovery is a challenging experience for anyone. But, with the right support in place, the results can be – quite literally – life-changing.
If you would like to learn more about The Good Care Group’s approach to stroke care and our association with leading UK stroke charity The Stroke Association, call on our friendly team today.
