How to Help Your Dad Regain His Skills After a Stroke
Almost 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke every year. They occur at a rate of around one per 40 seconds. Your dad had a stroke, and you’re not sure what happens next. His recovery is based on the severity of the stroke. Having assistance from occupational therapy providers can help to a more successful recovery.
Here are the best ways to help him in the weeks and months after his stroke.
Occupational Therapy Livonia MI – How to Help Your Dad Regain His Skills After a Stroke
What Happens During a Stroke?
There are two key types of strokes. An ischemic stroke is the most common. It occurs when a blood clot or clump of plaque blocks a blood vessel in the brain. With the loss of blood flow and oxygen, brain cells die which impacts brain function.
Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel bursts. It leaks blood into the brain cavity. That pressure damages the brain.
Add Safety Features and Equipment
Your dad’s mobility is severely impacted after the stroke. You can make his home safer by checking that any rails on the stairs are not loose. Grab bars in the shower and near the toilet are also helpful.
As your dad regains his strength, it’s best to invest in a shower chair. If he cannot lift his legs easily, a sliding transfer chair is ideal. He can sit down, slide across the edge of the tub, and get positioned for the shower.
How is your dad’s mobility? If he needs a walker or wheelchair, his hallways and rooms need to be arranged to make it easier for him to move around.
Make Sure He Takes His Medications
Following a stroke, your dad may stay in the hospital for several days or even weeks. Until he’s breathing on his own and able to swallow, his doctors will not want to release him. When he does go home, he’ll take medications, often blood thinners, every day.
He cannot forget a dose. If he can’t remember to take them, have someone available to remind him. Or, look for pill reminders with an audible alarm or flashing lights to cue him.
If you’re not sure what he can eat while taking blood thinners, ask for a list. Some foods must be limited or they can impact the effectiveness of the medications.
Arrange Occupational Therapy at Home
After your dad’s stroke, an occupational therapist helps him learn how to take care of himself. His occupational therapist can help him find ways to remember to take medications, get dressed, and complete other grooming tasks, even when his mobility and hand strength may not be the same.
Occupational therapy can help your dad manage the emotional effects of a stroke. He may feel depressed, anxious, or experience sudden mood swings. He might laugh or cry at inappropriate times.
He might need to use one hand to do things like open the mail, cook a meal, or complete household chores. Occupational therapists help him learn these techniques.
Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm
If you or an aging loved one is considering Occupational Therapy Services in Livonia MI. please contact the caring staff at No Place Like Home Health, LLC today. 734-259-4200
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