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The effects of a stroke vary for every individual and depend upon the type of the stroke, the location and severity of it. The most common side effects include hemiplegia or hemiparesis, (paralysis on one side of the body), changes in balance, vision and even speaking. Some may have difficulties swallowing. Personality changes can develop, including depression or anger. Caring for an elderly parent after they have suffered from a stroke can be very challenging, especially because every person’s recovery path is different and there isn’t always an easy set of guidelines to follow. Recovery requires a team of medical professionals from a variety of fields. Here are some of the things you can do: Educate Yourse. Knowledge is power and one of the best ways you can prepare yourself for this new role is to educate yourself about the type of stroke that your parent has suffered from. Indeed,…

The caregiver and patient relationship is a special one: it is a bond that can improve the quality of life and even promote healing. For some, it may be one of their primary relationships—therefore, it is important that the relationship is a strong one. Of course, that doesn’t mean that the the relationship won’t have its challenges, especially at the beginning. Due to the stressful setting for both patient and caregiver, patience may wear thin. Despite this, however, fostering a good relationship with your caretaker is very possible. Here’s how to do that. Tips For Patients: Get Comfortable with Asking for Help Learning to ask for help is perhaps the most important step in developing a high level of communication with your caretaker. This high-level of communication will ensure that you receive the best possible care. Learning to ask for help will also help to build a strong foundation of…

Perhaps you have noticed some subtle signs that your parents are not able to keep up with some of the everyday tasks that they once used to do. It can be a difficult conversation to have with your parent if you haven’t already broached the topic, but many seniors are open to the idea of having personalized care and services in their home because it allows them to retain their independence. Here are some signs that it may be time to consider private hospital care for your elderly parent(s). Unable to Keep Up with Daily Tasks. This may be the most obvious (and yet subtle) way to determine if your parent could benefit from private hospital care. Has your parent been forgetting to eat? Perhaps the dishes are piling up in the sink, food has been left to spoil in the fridge or he or she has not been taking…

Dehydration is a very common cause of hospitalization in older adults. Although it is always important to stay hydrated, it is particularly important to make it a priority as we age because older people are especially prone to suffering from the serious effects of dehydration. This is due to several factors, including a decrease in body water content and as the result of medications. Dehydration can lead to a myriad of health conditions, including constipation, low blood pressure, urinary tract infections, confusion and even worse. Dehydration is especially problematic during the summer months because warmer temperatures increase the risk that the elderly will suffer from heat stroke. Here are some tips to stay hydrated as you age. Keep water bottles (or a water cooler) easily accessible. For example, if you tend to spend a lot of time in your living room, have water bottles within reach. Consider putting your daily…

Conflict with an aging parent, although stressful, is very common. Perhaps your parents are unwilling to accept that they cannot keep up with daily tasks that they once did every day. They may be hostile because acknowledging that they cannot do these things anymore because it would mean that they are admitting to their losing independence. Although this type of conflict can be difficult for everyone involved, it may be helpful for you to know that there are ways to diffuse the tension. Consider Home Health Care ServicesHome health care, whereby elderly patients receive customized services and care while remaining in their own home, is a very beneficial option for many seniors as it allows them to retain their independence while having some assistance. Home health care services provide assistance with everything from grocery shopping to light housekeeping and more. Many elderly people are open to this type of help…