A senior begins recovering from a stroke as soon as he or she is stabilized. However, most seniors begin to make even greater leaps in their abilities once they return home. These awesome activities are all great ways to keep your loved one entertained while stimulating the skills needed to recover.
1. Singing
Seniors who are still working on recovering their oral language abilities benefit in several ways from singing. Since many songs have slow tempos, your loved one has time to properly pronounce each sound in the words. Music also has a positive impact on the parts of the brain associated with speech.
2. Painting
Painting is an expressive activity your loved one can do even if he or she isn’t particularly artistic. Provide a large piece of paper and encourage your loved one to make broad strokes on the side of the paper opposite the hand holding the brush. Crossing the body with the arm activates parts of the brain that affect the ability to retain information.
A professional caregiver can help your loved one follow a safe, effective stroke recovery plan. Families looking for top-rated elder care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
3. Gardening
Your loved one can plant seeds in soil from a seated position or even tend potted plants from bed if he or she needs to. Planting a garden gives your loved one something to look forward to, which can help him or her stay motivated after the stroke. You can also encourage your loved one to plant vegetables, such as tomatoes, that help him or her get excited about eating a heart-healthy diet.
4. Dictating a Memoir
Strokes have a way of making people think about their pasts as well as their futures. Your loved one may be worried about the legacy he or she is leaving behind for the rest of the family. Grab a pen or an audio recorder and have your loved one answer simple questions about his or her life. Depending on your loved one’s abilities, you may need to start with current topics, such as his or her favorite food. You can then allow your loved one to expand upon the memoir as memories return.
5. Doing Stretching Exercises
Exercise is important as your loved one recovers. However, it might be a while before he or she is ready for a full-on workout. Encourage your loved one to begin the day with a few stretches in bed that get the joints and muscles limber. Later, you can plan for a longer stretching session that incorporates a few yoga poses. This activity can bring back your loved one’s physical abilities that may have been affected by the stroke.
Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Tucson senior home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
6. Playing Video Games
Stroke survivors benefit from keeping their minds active, and video games offer the chance to work on their problem-solving and memory skills. The right types of games for seniors who are recovering from strokes should include features such as the need to strategize. Games with storylines can also help your loved one work on the ability to remember sequences of events. You can start off with simple games and encourage your loved one to work up to more challenging ones.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Tucson live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Home Care Assistance to enhance his or her quality of life. To talk to one of our friendly Care Managers and create a customized senior care plan, call us at (520) 276-6555.