VISITING ANGELS SOUTH SHORE, MA 781-834-6355
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Helping Seniors Transition Home After a Stroke

Many seniors returning home after a stroke may struggle initially  as they recover and rehabilitate. Whether your senior loved  one is learning to navigate familiar surroundings, coping with  lingering effects from a stroke, or grappling with day-to-day  tasks, you must take extra precautions to ensure a smooth and  productive transition. 

Your loved one’s safety – physical and emotional – should be a  top priority. 

 

Recommendations for a Safe Transition 

Returning home following a stroke can be stressful for a senior  – and his or her family members. Change is not always easy, but  being prepared and informed can make a huge difference.  

Here are four tips to help your older loved one feel at ease  during the recovery process at home: 

Assess Care Needs Early — and Often 

If your loved one is being discharged from a hospital or  rehabilitation facility, their healthcare team will assess care  needs in advance. A social worker or case manager can help  you develop a plan to promote safety and recovery. Your role in  the discharge planning process is to help the staff identify any  concerns. 

Monitor your loved one’s condition — including physical and  psychological well-being — after the return home. If you have  any trepidations, reach out to the social worker or physician. 

Make sure your loved one can perform activities of daily living,  such as toileting, getting dressed, preparing food, and keeping  the home clean. If you notice your senior is having difficulties, talk to them about getting help from family, friends, or  professional home care. 

Make Necessary Modifications to the Home 

A social worker or case manager may perform a safety  evaluation of the home before your senior is discharged. The  

evaluation determines whether any home modifications or  safety equipment is needed. 

A social worker may recommend a walker or cane, grab bars,  a shower seat in the bathroom, or a chair lift for the stairs.  Helpful home modifications can promote a safe recovery and  reduce the chances of hospital readmission as a result of a fall or  accident. 

 

Arrange for Follow-Up Care 

Your loved one will need ongoing medical care or therapy, so  it’s important to make arrangements in advance, especially  if you need assistance. If your loved one needs help with  transportation, personal care, light housekeeping, or meal  preparation, consider hiring an in-home caregiver. 

An in-home caregiver can provide personalized support that  meets your loved one’s unique requirements. A qualified  professional will serve as your eyes and ears during your loved  one’s recovery. 

 

Get Support 

Caring for a stroke survivor can be challenging, so it’s vital to  surround yourself — and your loved one — with support. Some  caregivers and stroke survivors find joining support groups to  be helpful. Respite care is an option to ensure your loved one  receives the care they need when you’re not available. 

A network of qualified professionals, such as speech,  occupational, and physical therapists, physicians, home health  aides, and personal caregivers will help address any questions  you have. These professionals will encourage and motivate your  loved one on the road to recovery. 

Reduce Hospital Readmission 

If your senior needs personal care assistance after experiencing  a stroke, Visiting Angels’ caregivers can assist by supporting  stroke survivors and reducing stress for family caregivers.  Our Ready-Set-Go program helps seniors make a successful  transition home after hospitalization through a customized  approach that begins at the hospital. The program also includes  home visits to promote a safe recovery by lowering the risk of  hospital readmissions related to falls and other accidents. 

Our Visiting Angels care coordinators are available to discuss your  loved one’s needs during a free home care consultation. If you’re  interested in more information, contact your nearest Visiting  Angels® office today or call 800-365-4189. 


Serving the South Shore from Milton to Plymouth, MA

Visiting Angels SOUTH SHORE, MA
475 School St #15
Marshfield, MA 02050
Phone: 781-834-6355

Serving the South Shore from Milton to Plymouth, MA

Visiting Angels SOUTH SHORE, MA
475 School St #15
Marshfield, MA 02050
Phone: 781-834-6355