Home Care Services in Indianapolis, IN After a Stroke: What to do

Home Care Services in Indianapolis, INDo you have a family member who recently suffered from a stroke? If so, and your loved one is returning home, he or she is going to require extra home care. The future may seem uncertain. Take the time to organize medical care and look into how to make the transition from the hospital to home a smooth one.

Some people decide to be the primary caregiver for their loved one who had a stroke. The important thing to remember is to be realistic about what your loved one’s needs are. It may be necessary to hire home care services.

The first thing to take into account when hiring a home care provider is what type of care is needed. Does your loved one need medical care involving occupational or physical therapy? Maybe you just need someone to help with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, or when using the bathroom. Home care providers can also help with housekeeping tasks or running errands.

Depending upon which part of the brain was injured by the stroke, this will determine how your love one will be affected in their daily activities. The following issues will help determine the level of care your loved one is going to need:

  • Are they having problems with balance or coordination?
  • Do they have difficulty remembering or thinking?
  • Are they experiencing weakness, paralysis, or numbness on one side of the body?
  • Are there problems with bowel or bladder control?
  • Are they able to safely prepare meals on their own?

You want your loved one to feel comfortable and independent in their home but you also have to think of their safety as well. There are ways to make areas of the home safer for your loved one to get around.

Stairways

  • Install handrails on each side of the stairway
  • Adequate lighting is very important. Use frosted light bulbs or globes over the light fixtures to reduce glare or shadows.

If your loved one uses a walker or wheelchair, you will need ramps for outside. For inside stairways, you may want to consider installing a stair lift or platform lift.

Bathroom

  • Install grab bars in the shower for help with balancing while showering or bathing.
  • If your loved one has trouble standing when showering, you can use a folding shower chair.
  • Use a non-skid bath mat.

You can install a roll-in shower with a fold out bath bench if your loved one uses a walker or is wheelchair bound.

Kitchen

  • If your loved one has trouble using both hands, buy a cutting board with suction cup feet to help when slicing foods or use a food processor for slicing and dicing.
  • One handed jar openers and can openers are available in stores or online.
  • Keep frequently used foods and appliances at a level where they are easy to reach.

The important thing is for your loved one to be safe. Having even a part time home care provider could be the answer to taking some of the extra responsibility and worry off your mind.

The caregivers at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your senior care needs. Great Care is an elder care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in Indianapolis, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information.

 

About Julie Sullivan

Julie Sullivan is the Owner at GreatCare of Indianapolis IN.
GreatCare is a licensed, personal services agency, providing in-home care services to the Indianapolis, Indiana and surrounding areas. We serve the personal health and daily care needs of seniors or individuals who prefer to stay at home, but require assistance with everyday activities, such as dressing, personal hygiene, meal preparation, laundry or errands. Our team of certified nurse aids and home health aids can provide you with personalized, in-home care services to meet your needs, including:
Daytime hourly in-home care
Temporary or post-hospital respite care
24-hour, around-the-clock home care
Morning and evening care
Overnight / Slumber care
In addition, we offer our Care Compass service, to assist in setting the course for the next stage in your loved ones life. We guide you through the currents of aging, and help you find your true north. Our licensed nurses, with experience in hospice and geriatric care, will help guide you through the complex and often sensitive journey of selecting an in-home care service, and will provide a smooth transition to a new way of life for your loved one, without the anxiety and fear.

Our current nursing and management team has more than 75 years of combined experience in the home healthcare services industry. All of our caregivers are bonded, insured and screened thoroughly, so you know you’ll be receiving the greatest care possible. That’s why we stand by our mission: to deliver the same, quality care we expect for ourselves and our loved ones.
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