Home care for stroke survivors

Why homecare is important for stroke survivors and the role of caregivers -- explained by an expert!

If you have undergone a surgery or are on medications to deal with stroke and wondering what's next, then, rehabilitation is one of the effective ways to help you improve cognitive and physical function. However, in some cases, you might be recommended home care with a few visits to rehab centres. So if your doctor has advised regular visits to rehab centres for physiotherapy exercises and occupational therapies, then taking care at home is the next big step. And to help you out, our expert Dr M Udaya Kumar Maiya, Medical Director, Portea Medical shares a few tips that can help caregivers look after a stroke survivor at home. Also read about can you suffer a STROKE without even knowing it?

Rehabilitation centres provide an efficient care option for stroke survivors but a majority of patients and families prefer at-home care. Stroke survivors have a better chance of recovery in the comfort of their home. Thus, it is important that a comprehensive plan for recovery and rehabilitation at home be included for the patient s benefit. The various types of home healthcare services include the following:

1. Skilled home health care and rehabilitation services: It offers some of the treatment options available in the outpatient rehabilitation setting, and helps them learn in a safe and comfortable home environment.

2. Home modification solutions: These help to make life easier and safer for the survivors. Simple modifications such as handrails on stairs, uncluttered hallways, proper lighting and fall prevention strategies can go a long way to help the survivors.

3. Nonmedical at-home care: These services are available at a cheaper cost than medical home healthcare, to help recovery among the survivors of stroke. It includes counselling and support for the patients. Here's more on rehabilitation tips for stroke patients.

Caregivers not only help in keeping a tab on doctor's appointments, medications, rehabilitation visits but also supervise improvement in the patient. they can assist them to work in accordance with the needs of the stroke survivors helping them to recover quickly. Some of the key points include -

• Care coordination and transportation: Caregivers can help patients to keep track of appointments, transportation to and from the healthcare setting, doctor's office and support group meetings. This reduces the overall anxiety and allows patients and caregivers to focus solely on recovery.
• Supervision during home rehabilitation: They provide regular reminders, encouragement and supervision to help the patient adhere to the rehabilitation program.
• Assistance with day-to-day activities: Caregivers can help clients with daily activities like bathing, grooming, dressing, using the toilet while preserving the dignity of clients at such a challenging time.
• Companionship: They can help combat loneliness and inactivity that may lead to increased risk of post-stroke depression. Here's everything you should know about stem cell therapy for stroke

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