When your mom or dad suffers a stroke, it impacts the whole family. Not only is your parent suddenly in need of home care assistance, but everyone connected to mom or dad may need support. It’s simply impossible to prepare a family for the stress a stroke has on their loved one.
A stroke not only leaves your parent confused and in shock and denial, but it does the same for adult children, grandchildren, siblings, and surviving spouse. One moment your mother or father is active and vital, but within minutes or seconds, their world collapses. A stroke may change your parent’s behavior or their ability to talk, walk, or think coherently.
The Effects of a Stroke on Families
A stroke – whether considered simple or massive – can change roles within a family in seconds. This may include role reversals and change of breadwinners or adult children taking care of mom or dad just at the time of their lives when they thought their lives were free and clear. Sometimes the stroke of a parent brings on resentment instead of compassion.
When older adults have strokes, treatment, therapy, and a dedicated home care assistance provider may be the best medicine for healing and enhancing their lifestyle. .
If your parent has a stroke, remember the following:
Despite the changes in personality, your parent is still an adult. Treat them as one.- Be patient. Recovery from a stroke is slow, and your parent will need time to establish a new routine.
- Remain calm and allow your mother or father to process each new step and action in their time.
- Talk in terms of what your mother or father knows, and encourage their memories.
- Speak slowly but do not talk like a child.
- Remind your loved one you are keeping them safe to soothe their fears.
- Continue to interact with your loved one. It is important that they know you are supportive.
Contact Us
While a stroke can have drastic effects on an older adult, there are many professionals who can help. Among them include our caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care in Fort Myers, FL. We provide both respite care and post-operative care for patients who were recently discharged from the hospital. Our caregivers will monitor their condition and will report any emergencies as soon as they occur.
Give us a call for a free consultation at (239) 221-6326 or to discuss our post-operative care services in further detail.
