A stroke affects a person in a variety of ways — not only physically, but also emotionally. The emotional effects of a stroke can then go on to change a person’s behaviour. Emotional changes occur because the stroke has injured the brain, which controls both emotions and behaviour. This is often very difficult for families, especially familial caretakers, to deal with. If you or your loved one has experienced a stroke, here are some behavioural changes that can occur. It may make you feel better to know that behaviour changes can improve over time. Sadness, Low Mood, Loss Of Interest, Inability To Manage Life Sadness, a low mood, a loss of interest in things that once interested them, as well as an inability to manage their lives are both emotional and behavioural changes that can occur after a stroke. They are all symptoms of depression, which is the most common…

While surgery can be taxing on both the individual who is undergoing the surgery as well as on their caregivers, it is possible to increase the rate at which you heal after surgery. Here are some tips to speed up your post-surgery recovery. Follow Your Doctor’s Post-Op Instructions (And Don’t Skip Follow-Up Appointments) It is all too common for people not to follow the doctor’s post-op instructions or to do so but ignore parts that they deem unnecessary. To ensure the best recovery possible, it is important to follow all of the doctor’s post-op instructions. This is important even if you or the one you are caring for feels well physically. Not doing so could result in additional issues, from infections to excessive bleeding. Lastly, don’t skip follow-up appointments as your doctor will be able to see things that you will not be able to. Eat An Extra Healthy Diet…

It is common to think of muscular dystrophy as a single disease but in fact it is a group of neuromuscular disorders. Duchenne is the most common form of muscular dystrophy that leads to muscle degeneration and muscle weakness, a disease that begins in childhood. It is genetically based and is caused by a lack of a protein called dystrophin, which goes on to damage the muscles. Ultimately, Duchenne is due to a faulty gene that can be passed on to the baby. In some cases, however, the gene was not passed on from the mother. The basics The muscles in the lower body are usually affected first, including the hips and pelvic area. Eventually, shoulder muscles will also weaken while the skeletal muscles of the upper body will then follow. Symptoms present themselves between the ages of three and five; while this disease is mostly found in boys, it…

A lot of conflict can arise between people and their aging parents: this is entirely normal. When we consider that family caregivers often spend 18 hours per week caring for their parent (and potentially up to 87 hours a week for those with a parent who has dementia and is living in their home), there is a lot of time for arguments to arise. This is made much more complicated by a long line of history and unresolved conflicts, and by the role changes that occur when the caregiving roles are reversed. It can leave aging parents resistant to accept their loss of independence. You may be frightened to see your parents in this situation. While some arguments may be unavoidable, there are some ways to navigate this situation so as to limit conflict in the future. Be Willing to Compromise. Just because you are in a caregiving role, doesn’t…

Having feet that are in good condition is vital for both our mobility and health. However, maintaining good foot care is particularly important for seniors because failing to do so can lead to many serious problems, including a loss of independence. Here are some of the associated risks: Loss of Mobility and Independence Seniors are particularly prone to various foot problems such as corns, blisters and other infections, because the skin is less thick than it used to be, as well as less elastic. They are also less able to cut their own toenails, which can lead to infections such as fungal infections, ingrown toenails or thickened toenails. These problems can lead to a loss of mobility and independence. Foot problems also make it more lit likely that a senior will become much less active, which can also contribute very negatively to their health. Physical Pain and Increased Risk of…