A stroke, be it a small or a big one, can change how you approach and live your life. Some minor strokes leave long-lasting effects even after being discharged from the hospital, and only great personal care can help the survivors get back on their feet.

But strokes are quite prevalent among older adults, where almost 66% of stroke cases are adults over 65. There are, of course, different signs that you can keep an eye out for, but bear in mind these signs usually show up just minutes before a stroke occurs.

A feeling of numbness in the limbs or face. Usually, numbness is felt on one side of the body.

• Headaches
• A sudden problem with sight
• Lack of coordination
• Can't talk or move their facial muscles

Here are a few symptoms of stroke that are specific to women:

• Hiccups
• Nausea
• Palpitations
• Chest pain

Remember, these symptoms will occur suddenly. Although post strokes can be managed by setting things up at your home, it becomes quite the task. In this case, you will need a good support network, and your caregivers, family, and friends can help immediately by modifying your home for better safety and convenience. Here, a professional caregiver needs to step in and ease the situation.  

How Can Caregivers Help Stroke Survivors Stay Safe at Home?

Setting up things at home is essential, and most important is having a caregiver to help the person in suffering. Remember, stroke survivors need great care, especially if they're older adults.

Here are a few things a caregiver should do to improve medication and safety care for stroke survivors at home-

Identify Your Loved One’s Requirements

Hospitals will typically do this survey and convey the requirements based on the stroke survivor's physical and psychological condition. It's basically about understanding if there are people at home to care for the survivors. They check if there are any psychological effects of strokes, they will assess if physical therapy is needed or not, and they'll also check the health of the survivor before sending them home. It is easy for caregivers to plan their care plan if they know about the physical and mental requirements of the stroke survivor.

Get the Rooms and Bathrooms Ready

There are small things a caregiver can do to help stroke survivors stay safe at home; all you have to do is make certain tiny yet significant changes.  

Let's take a look at them:

• Use pull-out shelves rather than the regular ones in the kitchen
• Get a wheeled cart to help ease the transportation of groceries and other essentials
• Make sure you have single-handed water faucets
• Add toilet rails/bars for the survivor to hold and balance themselves.
• Use a recliner bed to adjust the height or the bed as required.

Make Adjustments at Home to Reduce the Risk of Falling

Stroke survivors typically tend to experience weakened limbs or paralysis; this increases their chances of falling. This can further deteriorate the physical and psychological health of the survivor. There are certain precautions the caregiver can take to prevent them from getting hurt. You can child-proof your house; it is a great way to ensure they don't get hurt badly.

Making Necessary Changes in Diet

When it comes to consuming food, senior citizens can have difficulty swallowing food after suffering a stroke. They need food that is easy to swallow but should also contain the required nutrients.

Assisting them with a household task

Stroke survivors may have physical or cognitive issues preventing them from driving or managing tasks such as dressing assistance, housekeeping, laundry, and ironing. Newport Home Care caregivers can provide or arrange transportation to appointments, run errands, prepare meals, and handle light household duties.

Giving reminders for medication

Your loved one’s post-stroke care may involve taking medications and attending medical appointments. Our professionals are always ready to serve you with the best. Although they cannot provide medical care, they can remind seniors when it’s time to take medication on time.

Recognizing the sign of a second stroke

According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 4 strokes occur in people with a previous stroke. Statistics show that stroke patients who receive early care within three hours of their first symptom have fewer complications and can recover way before than those who received delayed care. In this case, our experts will inform you and help your loved one to receive care as soon as possible.  

Support Your Stroke Survivor with Newport Home Care

Caregivers from Newport Home Care will do all of the above and confirm everything is in place to ensure that stroke survivors are safe and comfortable. They will help your loved ones follow up with their medical appointments, ensure they follow the prescribed medication and help them get back on their feet while building their confidence. Contact us today if you are looking for senior care service in Newport Beach, CA.