Live-in Care: Perfect Solution for Patients Recovering from a Stroke

Over 100,000 cases of stroke are reported annually in UK alone, making it a very prevalent condition. A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs because the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted.

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This causes the rapid death of brain cells leading to loss of function from the affected portion of the brain. This can include loss of movement and sensation in limbs, changes in speech, and even incontinence. Stroke is the number one cause of neurological deaths worldwide.

More about Strokes

Acute stroke attacks can be divided into two categories: ischaemic and haemorrhagic. Both lead to the interruption of blood supply to the brain. The most common type is ischaemic; it is usually caused by a blood clot formed elsewhere in the body but is circulated all the way up to the vessels in the brain.

On the other hand, haemorrhagic strokes occur because of the rupture of blood vessels within the brain; this causes a collection of blood that clots up and also interrupts the blood supply. Haemorrhagic strokes are most commonly caused by high blood pressure.

Symptoms of a stroke can be various, and not all of them need to occur in order to raise concern. The most common and noticeable symptoms include slurred speech, trouble listening, sudden numbness or paralysis of one or more limbs or face, dizziness and sudden severe headache.

If you see such signs in anyone, they need immediate medical assistance.

Recovery in the comforts of your own Home

Patients with Stroke often need rehabilitation and support after their initial attack. Usually, people opt for after-stroke care in rehabilitation centres. However, a lesser-known but more beneficial option is recovering in the comfort of their own home.

This can easily be taken care of by the presence of a live-in carer. Research has shown that recovery in a comfortable, familiar environment is a lot faster than that at a rehabilitation centre or hospital. Often patients feel uncomfortable and bed-bound in such spaces.

An additional benefit of hiring a live-in carer is that the patient will not need to relocate to a centre that may be very far from their friends and family. Such isolation can also have negative impacts on the patient’s recovery.

Exclusive and vigilant care around-the-clock

You may already know that care at rehabilitation centres and hospitals is not very tailored or reliable. Of course, this may not be the fault of the nurses directly since the patient load is high in these units. A more convenient option available in the form of a live-in carer providing after stroke care. These carers are there only to take care of one patient. They will be there at all times of the day to keep a vigilant eye on them, and to make sure they go to all their physiotherapy, occupational, and speech rehab sessions. Not only this but some live-in carers have special qualifications just to take care of such a patient. This is why they will be able to handle your loved one in case of a medical emergency. All of these things are included in the personal plan made and frequently updated by the live-in carer.

Assurance of compliance with follow-up care

Part of stroke recovery includes many appointments through follow-up care. Other lifestyle changes may include the need for assistance in basic functioning, additional medications, etc. This is usually too much for the patient to handle on their own, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for family members to provide adequate support due to their busy schedules. Which why a live-in carer is a perfect solution to ease your loved one into their new way of living.

The carer will not only provide transport and assistance to the appointment but also accompany you to them. They will also be there in follow-up doctor visits to report on the health status of the patient. Additionally, they can assist or take over basic household chores like cooking cleaning, laundry, grocery runs and so much more. The carer will make sure food preparation is done with dietary modifications in mind and even make sure that medication is taken at the right time.

Regaining Independence at the right time

Stroke survivors often have new disabilities or difficulty in performing tasks they used to be able to. This usually leaves them feeling vulnerable. A live-in carer will provide the right amount of assistance at the right time.

The carer will deal with any feelings of discouragement or frustration that are common during the initial period of recovery. However, they will also make sure they are resolved with time by reintroducing activities when the time is right. This way the patient will be able to get back on their own feet on time.

A friendly face

Nowadays it may seem like too much to ask a family member to sacrifice time to take care of such a person around the clock. Of course, everyone has their busy schedules to juggle. This is why the recovery period for stroke survivors tends to get a little lonely. This may have a negative impact on their recovery and may even cause bouts of depression.

Even though live-in carers are usually hired for their assistance and vigilance their company happens to be one of the most significant parts of their job. A live-in is skilled in providing excellent companionship.

Preventing recurrent attacks

One of the most common complications includes recurrent attacks. In order to prevent such attacks, one has to make sure they stick to the modified diet plans and take all their medication on time. However, in the event of a recurrence, timing has a big impact. The sooner the patient gets medical attention the lesser the chances of severe damage. Live-in carers are often qualified enough to provide this medical assistance. Even just their presence at the scene allows immediate recognition of stroke signs and symptoms so they can immediately transport the patient to a medical facility.

A patient helping hand

A stroke survivor often needs full-time care. This is difficult for family members as it can be a very exhausting job, not to mention it requires a lot of time. But more importantly, it requires patience. Often family members lack this and become discouraged, or burnt out soon after. The best way to avoid such a situation would be to hire a carer. A live-in carer will be dedicated to making sure your loved one recovers swiftly with all the patience in the world. There is a variety of assistance available, whether you want it to be hourly or around the clock, Hometouch are able to provide what you need.