How Seniors Can Recover From a Stroke

During the stroke recovery process, your senior loved one will focus on restoring motor skills and overcoming other side effects to the maximum extent possible. This process is really all about remaining as independent as possible while adapting to the new capabilities of their body. Recovery may also require finding additional emotional, social, and physical means of support for your senior loved one. With that said, here are some helpful ways seniors can recover from a stroke from our short-term rehab team in Pitman, NJ

Set achievable goals. The key to setting recovery goals is to remain realistic. Have your loved one first focus on simple physical tasks like bending down to put on socks or walking 40 ft. without becoming out of breath. If you’re not sure what goals are achievable for your senior parent, work with their primary care physician or physical therapist to narrow down what’s possible after their stroke?

Stick to the prescribed exercise routine. After your senior loved one has experienced a stroke, it is likely that they met with a physical therapist in the hospital or in a short-term rehab setting. The physical therapist is able to evaluate mom or dad’s physical state and prescribe exercises that will help strengthen and recover the afflicted areas. These exercises are crucial for recovery because they will not only help build up muscle but will also help teach the brain new ways to move. Sticking to the prescribed routine will support your loved one’s journey to regaining independence with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and bathing.

Stay positive and prioritize mental health. Mom or dad’s recovery depends not only on regaining physical strength but focusing on mental strength as well. Unfortunately, after a stroke, it’s common for the person to experience discouragement and even depression. If these feelings aren’t addressed and tackled head-on, the road to recovery becomes more difficult. That’s why it’s important to always encourage your loved ones to stay positive and to keep working towards their goals. If you are having trouble addressing their mental health, you should consult a professional for evaluation, treatment options, and added support.

Make lifestyle changes to reduce future stroke risk. While your loved one focuses on their physical therapy and mental health, it’s also important for them to incorporate healthier lifestyle changes to avoid having another stroke in the future. For example, if mom or dad doesn’t have the best diet (along with high blood pressure and cholesterol), now is the time to engage them in a low fat, low cholesterol diet incorporating heart-healthy foods such as leafy green vegetables, wholegrain, and fatty fish instead of processed meats. Your loved one should also cut out unhealthy habits like smoking and avoid succumbing to a sedentary lifestyle. Never underestimate the power of a good diet and exercise program!

Stroke Recovery at UMC at Pitman

Seniors who choose to recover at UMC at Pitman receive 24-hour comprehensive care and supervision. Rehabilitation represents the perfect intersection of healthcare, technology, and human connection. Complemented by our environment and professional associates, we can successfully treat those with complex health conditions like stroke recovery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, surgical recovery, and more.

For more information about short-term rehab in Gloucester County, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original content posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/10/04/how-seniors-can-recover-from-a-stroke/

Senior Safety Tips: Medication Management

Medication management for seniors can become complicated as the list of prescriptions grows. As more prescriptions are added to the mix, that creates potential danger with more side effects and dosages to keep track of. With that said, here are 5 valuable tips from our assisted living team serving Gloucester County. These safe medication management tips will help your loved one overcome common medication mistakes many seniors tend to make:

1. Create a medication list for your loved one. Making a list of all the medications they take, including the name, dosage, frequency, and why they take it will help keep better track of your senior parent’s health. Also, make sure another loved one or caregiver has a copy in case there’s a medical emergency and hospital physicians need mom or dad’s medication history stat. Attach the list to the refrigerator or in another highly visible place so it can be easily updated and found by others if needed.
2. Refills come up fast! The best way for your loved one to avoid missing any doses is to keep track of when refills are coming up. It’s also important to remember that their doctor may require a check-up appointment before authorizing more refills. If that’s the case for mom or dad, be sure to plan their check-ups ahead of time.
3. Take notice of adverse drug reactions. All of your loved one’s doctors and their pharmacists should be aware of every medication prescribed to them before adding any new ones. This is because some medications don’t work well or can cause unfavorable side effects when combined and taken together. When your senior parent starts a new medication, remember to ask their doctor if there’s a specific way they should be taking it. For instance, most medications should be taken with food in order to avoid an upset stomach. If your loved one has an adverse reaction to a medication, report it to their doctor immediately so they can provide a solution or alternative medication that may work better.
4. Take your medications as prescribed daily. It’s important that mom or dad understands that making changes to the dosage of a prescription without talking to a doctor can be dangerous. Stopping particular medications abruptly or not taking them as frequently as directed can cause serious health risks to developing. That’s why it’s so important to keep medications organized with a helpful tool like a pillbox. A box with multiple clearly labeled sections for each day can be especially helpful if your loved one takes many different medicines in the morning and at night. You could also set alarm reminders for you and your loved one so they take all their medicine on time each day.
5. Store medicine properly and dispose of old, expired medications to avoid confusion. Most prescriptions are stored in a cool, dry place out of reach of pets or young children that visit the home. Generally, seniors choose to store their medications in a bathroom drawer or cabinet, but it’s important to make sure the steam from the shower does not reach the pills. Another helpful organization tip is to always carefully dispose of prescriptions your loved one no longer needs. The safe and environmentally-friendly way to dispose of is through the prescription drop-off sites located at most pharmacies. You should also weed out expired bottles because the medication is not as effective after the expiration date.

Prioritizing senior safety at UMC at Pitman

At United Methodist Communities at Pitman, our associates are on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist senior residents in any way they require. Whether it’s bathing, dressing for the day, or managing multiple medications, our highly-skilled associates are ready and willing to lend a helping hand.

For more information about our assisted living services and safety precautions for seniors at UMC at Pitman in Gloucester County, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original content posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/09/20/senior-safety-tips-medication-management/