Helping A Loved One Recover From A Stroke
When a loved one suffers a stroke, their recovery becomes your priority. There are numerous different types of therapy that can help your loved one on the road to recovery. You can help with this, but professional rehabilitation therapy will be essential.
Recovery Plan
Physical therapy is a critical part of any recovery plan for those affected by a stroke. While your loved one can receive treatment at a therapy center, in home physical therapy can often be more convenient, and in the early stages of recovery, it can be the most appropriate option, since it may be difficult to transport your loved one to the center. There's also the fact that their motor skills will need to improve before therapy outside of the home becomes possible.
As Soon As Possible
A physical therapist can visit based upon a schedule determined by your loved one's healthcare team. It generally needs to begin as soon as possible after the stroke, and will often get underway while your loved one is still in the hospital. Even when their motor functions have been compromised by the stroke, manual stimulation of muscles and nerves is important to prevent muscle atrophy and to maintain healthy circulation.
Back on Their Feet
As your loved one begins to recover, the extent of the effects of the stroke will become more apparent, and a plan can be formulated to best get them back on their feet. Yes, walking (with assistance, if necessary) can be part of stroke recovery, but the same goes for all basic movements, such as sitting down, lying down, as well as the necessary movements that will help your loved one to transition from one of these positions to another.
At Home
The physical therapist can give you a list of activities that you perform with your loved one at home, to build upon the work that they've begun, and to ensure that progress is maintained in the weeks and months after the stroke. Be mindful not to deviate from the therapist's instructions, and to note any setbacks or abnormalities.
Additional Forms of Therapy
Additional assistance you can give at home can loosely take the form of occupational therapy. If formal occupational therapy is recommended, a treatment strategy will be formulated. This helps your loved one to relearn the procedure for straightforward everyday activities, and this includes things such as eating and drinking, using the toilet, and basic chores. If an occupational therapist has drafted a treatment strategy, again, you shouldn't deviate from this. By guiding your loved one through simple everyday tasks, it can greatly improve the overall effectiveness of their recovery.
The road to recovery after a stroke can be difficult, which is why it's important to start as soon as possible, with professional assistance. Contact a home physical therapy service for more information.