Taking the First Steps: Recovering from Stroke Begins Right Away

Home Care Skokie IL

The stroke may have been mild or it could have been severe. When a loved one is in the hospital following a stroke, family members have many questions. Minutes can feel like hours in the waiting room, anxiously anticipating what the doctor may have to say. 

When a person has been stabilized, they will be facing a period of time for recovery. Recovery will start right then and there. While the senior will probably go through a battery of tests and support, maybe even staying in the hospital for a couple of weeks and being moved to a nursing home for a few weeks before being discharged and sent home, the recovery starts the moment they are stabilized. 

​Maximizing chances of a full recovery also begins right then. That’s why family members and friends should be aware of the recovery process. No one wants to see their loved one back in the hospital before too long. However, people are readmitted within 30 days of their discharge far too often in this country. While the federal government continues to place increased pressure on hospitals to reduce these rates, individuals and their families (their support systems) can take steps to reduce those rates and improve chances of recovery. 

Follow doctor’s instructions. 

The doctor will provide instructions for each patient upon discharge. These instructions could entail the services and support they should consider, diet, prescription medication, exercise, and much more. 

It’s not going to be easy during recovery following a stroke, especially with regard to physical challenges, but when a person begins ignoring their doctor’s instructions, they increase the risk of having to be readmitted to the hospital before long. They also limit the chances for their recovery. 

Exercise. 

A person who has lost mobility, strength, and even agility may see exercise as being nothing but an extreme challenge they would rather avoid. However, exercise is the only way to regain strength and mobility. 

A person who has been told he or she will not regain the use of one side of the body may not see the benefits in exercise at all. However, it could be essential for them to maximize their quality of life moving forward. 

Support. 

Having the right support is crucial to a good recovery. Family members and friends may have the best intentions, but unless they have prior experience supporting seniors through this type of challenge, they may not offer the best option. 

Relying on home care support services may improve the chances the senior recovers as well as can be expected following a stroke. 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services Skokie IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

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