Caring for a loved one undergoing stroke recovery at home requires a combination of compassion, knowledge, and practical skills. Freedom Home Care understands the complexities of stroke recovery and offers expert guidance and support for caregivers. Here are essential tips for providing optimal stroke recovery home care: Understanding the Effects of Stroke Stroke survivors may experience a wide range of physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes based on the areas of the brain affected by the stroke. It’s crucial for caregivers to understand these potential effects to provide appropriate care and support. Preparing to Care for a Stroke Survivor Before
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Archives for Stroke Prevention
Exercise and Physical Activity Have Similar Positive Effects in Seniors
As we get older, our bodies still require movement, whether we like it or not. There are plenty of ways exercise and participate in physical activity that will help improve our health and livelihood, especially for seniors. Surprisingly, there are differences between exercise and physical activity. Knowing what those differences are and how each can benefit your health can help people over the age of 60 maximize their potential when it comes to staying active. Physical activity can include things like walking, jogging, biking, hiking, climbing stairs, carrying groceries or gardening. Exercise is considered to be a specifically planned, structured, and repetitive
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Spreading the Word During Stroke Awareness Month
On average, a stroke kills an American every 4 seconds. And with nearly 800,000 people having strokes each year in the U.S., it’s no wonder that the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association want to bring awareness to this condition. Luckily, we can often avoid the worst effects if we catch it early. Awareness is the key. And, with May being Stroke Awareness Month, you can protect yourself and others from the dangers of a stroke by spreading the word. Ways You Can Raise Awareness: Take action. First, learn about your own stroke risk by taking this quiz.
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Think FAST to Identify Stroke Symptoms
With an estimated 795,000 people having had a stroke last year, this condition is one of the biggest concerns for seniors. If someone does have a stroke, the road to recovery is often long and difficult. As a caregiver, knowing the signs that a stroke is happening can get the emergency call out faster and reduce some of the damage. So if a senior suddenly starts acting strangely, think FAST: software download sites F – Face. Look at the senior’s face. Does one side appear to be drooping? If they try to smile, does it look crooked? A – Arms.
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Go On, Have Another Cup
Are you looking for another excuse to drink your favorite coffee every morning? Well, a study recently done in Japan in conjunction with the American Heart Association found that drinking coffee and green tea daily lowered the risk of strokes. It was determined that the risk of stroke was lowered by 20% in those who had a cup of Joe every morning. Green tea was also beneficial, but participants had to drink four or more cups to see the same 20% reduction. And even though the researchers did notice that those who consumed tea and coffee daily had generally healthier
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Study shows benefits of brisk walks for stroke survivors
This Sunday at 2:00 a.m., American will set their clocks forward, serving as a reminder that spring is on its way. And with warmer weather right around the corner, taking in the outdoors will be so much easier. According to a recent study, taking brisk walks can be incredibly beneficial for those who have suffered from a stroke. It can “improve their physical fitness, enjoy a better quality of life, and increase their mobility,” say the editors of MedicalNewsToday.com. The study was carried out in Jamaica at the University of the West Indies. More than 120 stroke survivors participated with
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Helpful advice from the CDC on stroke prevention
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, strokes are a leading cause of death in the United States. Approximately 130,000 Americans die each year because of strokes, which accounts for 1 of every 18 deaths. The CDC goes on to explain that “every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. About 610,000 of these are first or new strokes. One in four are recurrent strokes.” Despite the numbers, however, there are many ways to prevent strokes from happening. Here are a few recommendations from the CDC to lower your risk for stroke: Eat a healthy diet. Choosing healthful meal
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Tips to help aging individuals cope with extreme heat
This summer has been brutal – temperature-wise. In a recent blog post, Tom Skilling, Chicago’s favorite forecaster, reminded residents just how hot it's been. If we crack the 90-degree marker 11 more times, he said, we will tie the 24-year record for the most days over 90 degrees. And considering that Chicago’s five-day forecast calls for three days of above-90 temps, it looks like we just might do it. Despite the fact that the worst is behind us, it’s still a good idea to be reminded of the health risks that this type of weather can pose to aging individuals. Hypothermia,
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Competing in the 2012 Olympic Games at age 71
Hiroshi Hoketsu of Japan, pictured here, is 71 years old and is, believe it or not, competing at the 2012 London Olympics in the individual dressage for Japan's equestrian team. According to an article recently published by the Huffington Post, Hoketsu isn’t just the oldest athlete to compete at London 2012; he's the oldest one to do so in the last 92 years. As we have come to understand, staying active at a later age in life is not just important; it is imperative. And physical activity isn’t just good for aging individuals; it’s good for people of all ages. Simple
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Reminding patients that there's no place like home
When a person hears the terms home health care, in-home care or home health aide services, often times the first thing that comes to mind is caring for the elderly. This, however, is a bit of a misnomer, considering that home health care can run the gamut – from post-surgery care to speech therapy. “Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be given in your home,” Medicare.gov explains. “Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.” Just as it
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