FAST saved your mom’s life. You identified the signs of a stroke and sought immediate medical treatment. She’s been in the hospital for several weeks and is about to come home.
What do you need to consider when she comes home? You don’t want to have anything happen that requires her to be readmitted. That’s one of the biggest reasons to schedule home health care nurses. Here’s what she’ll need.
Arrange the Home to Meet Her Needs
Home Health Care Syosset, NY: Care After Stroke
Is your mom going to be using a walker or wheelchair? If so, you need to make sure there is room for her to maneuver. Clear clutter and rearrange furniture so that your mom is able to move around freely.
This is important as she may need to work with nurses to learn how to properly use a walker or wheelchair. If her home is already designed to make it easier for her to get around, it makes it easier for her to regain mobility.
Hire Therapeutic Services
Your mom is going to work with physical, occupational, and speech therapists throughout the week. She needs to learn to use her arm and leg on the left side. Her speech is slurred and unclear, so she needs to learn how to communicate.
Occupational therapy helps your mom learn how to do things she used to easily do before the stroke. After the stroke affected the use of her left hand, she struggles to get dressed, take a shower, and eat meals.
Instead of having to take your mom to a therapist’s office, have the therapists come to her home. It makes it easier for her, and it also helps you. You won’t have to help her in and out of the car or buckle her seatbelt.
Feeding Tubes and Catheters
If your mom still uses a feeding tube, she’s going to need a nurse to administer feedings. If she lost bladder control, a catheter may be in place and need care. Home health care nurses can take care of these necessary chores.
Medication Administration
Your mom will be on certain medications for the rest of her life. Blood thinners are an example. She may need a nurse to administer the medications for her. Injections and IV medications are examples of medicines you may not be able to manage on your own. Skilled nursing services are essential.
She’s also going to need to have someone reporting her vitals to the medical team. Blood pressure and pulse are two of the measurements that are taken each day. As high blood pressure increases the risk of a stroke, it’s essential to carefully track her blood pressure each day.
Talk to your mom’s medical team about the care she needs. Once you know, call a home health care expert to arrange the services she needs.