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Life after a stroke can present
numerous challenges for seniors, impacting not only their physical health but
also their mental well-being. One of the most common hurdles in their recovery
journey is post-stroke depression, a devastating result of the trauma they
experienced that can negatively affect rehabilitation and diminish their
quality of life.
In this article, follow along as we
delve into the relationship between strokes and depression, explore the
symptoms of post-stroke depression, and provide insights into effective
management strategies, including treatment and support.
Is
depression common after a stroke?
Yes, depression is quite common after
a stroke. In fact, according to the American Stroke Association,
about one-third of stroke survivors experience post-stroke depression. It’s
often caused by chemical imbalances in the brain due to emotional and
psychological trauma, ultimately affecting the survivor’s ability to feel
positive emotions.
A comprehensive study in
the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) emphasizes the strong
connection between strokes and depression. The researchers discovered that
individuals with a stroke were more than twice as likely to develop depression
compared to those who hadn’t experienced a stroke. Additionally, the changes
and challenges during stroke recovery, such as limited mobility or loss of
independence, can contribute to sadness, frustration, and hopelessness.
Fortunately, there is hope. Recognizing this condition is the first step toward
recovery for survivors.
Symptoms
of post-stroke depression:
It is crucial to recognize the
symptoms of post-stroke depression to provide timely support and treatment. The
symptoms may include:
It’s important to note that these
symptoms can vary from person to person, and not everyone may experience all of
them. If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms following a stroke,
it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Ways
to manage post-stroke depression:
Treatment
and support:
Apart from professional help, stroke
survivors can benefit from various support resources. Stroke support groups,
both in-person and online, can provide a unique sense of community through
shared understanding. Connecting with individuals who have faced similar
challenges can be empowering and a way to learn valuable insights and coping
mechanisms.
Additionally, family caregivers and
loved ones should educate themselves about post-stroke depression to provide
the necessary support. Being patient, understanding, and encouraging during
recovery can make a significant difference in a loved one’s recovery. To learn
more, including valuable information about preventative care, you can refer to
our blog about stroke signs and prevention tips for older adults.
Next
Steps
Depression can make life after a
stroke a long, emotional journey, but it doesn’t have to be one your loved one
must go alone. There is hope and relief through the power of support, whether
through counseling, socialization or everyday care and companionship. With
proper treatment and being shown compassion and patience, even during their
most challenging of moments, significant strides can be made along their road
to recovery.
If you or a loved one could benefit
from additional support at home following a stroke or an extended hospital
stay, our GoHomeWell Post-Medical Care Program could
make all the difference. With a personalized care plan and a wide range of
service options for a variety of needs, we can help your family rebuild your
independence safely and empower you or your loved one to conquer life’s
challenges.
Contact
us today to learn more about how we can help you or your loved
one recover your health and experience a happier, healthier life at home.
Gifts for Grandma, Grandpa, or Aging ParentsIts no secret that shopping for gifts for grandma, grandpa, or an older parent, can be difficult. A life well lived also means theyve probably acquired everything they need for their day-to-day tasks. Do they really need another stock pot, blanket, or screwdriver? Probably not. And those kinds of gifts are BORING with a capital B. Why not find something thats new AND solves a problem?How do you buy a gift for a senior who already has everything?The trick is to find a present that adds value and independence to their life. As we age, things that we took for granted in our youth become much harder as the years pass on.One such example that many seniors struggle with is the simple task of clipping fingernails. The standard fingernail clipper hasnt changed for over 70 years. Its small and requires a surprising amount of vision and dexterity.Now imagine youre a senior with advancing arthritis or decreasing vision and what used to be a simple task is now a lot more difficult. Maybe you have MS or Parkinsons and fine motor dexterity is an everyday challenge. Or perhaps youre fully capable of clipping your own nails, but want additional convenience. Or maybe youre a caregiver and clipping fingernails is low on your priority list. Any way you look at it, theres no right or wrong reason to want a bit of independence.In fact, there are over 50 million people in the US alone who have limited dexterity, strength, or vision. And tens of millions more who dislike the messy and annoying process of clipping fingernails. If your parent or grandparent needs help, theyre certainly not alone.Get them something that makes their life easier.Introducing the ClipDifferent Pro: the easiest-to-use nail clipper on the planet. Its easily one of the best gifts for grandma, grandpa, or an aging parent.The ClipDifferent Pro is a revolutionary, first-of-its-kind, automatic fingernail clipper that safely trims fingernails with the simple touch of a button. Its effortless, safe, leaves no mess, and is built to last.It includes FREE SHIPPING and a FULL GUARANTEE!It uses a bit of science, a bit of magic, and a few top-secret components that elevate the act of fingernail clipping from boring to holy cow!.Put simply, the ClipDifferent Pro utilizes a high-capacity, rechargeable NiMH battery to power a finely-tuned, patent-pending trimming mechanism manufactured with surgical grade stainless steel, to create the most seamless, clean, and nearly effortless fingernail clipping experience youve ever had. Dont Just Take Our Word For It Heres What Others Are Saying The ClipDifferent Pro is so simple and easy to use! Rollie Rodgers (Korean War Veteran and Living with Parkinsons) It gives me one more way to be independent. Rick Zeidler (Vision Loss) Ive won the war but its these day-to-day battles that we have to deal with. Rick Ebner (Living with MS) I think anyone will find the Pro fabulousespecially those who have challenges with fine motor skills. Geno Mucciacciaro (Disabled Veteran with Neurological and Central Nervous System Issues) Once you see the Pro work, its hard to go back to the old way of clipping your nails. Butch Donohue (Amputee/Limb Loss) Every home needs to have one of these! Tamara S. (Home Health Care Advisor) I need to buy one of these for my husband! Velma Hagar Ristaino (Author, Inspirational Speaker)
Elevating Compassion CareAging with grace and vigor is challenging. Being a caregiver for an aging loved one maybe even more challenging. Here are some innovations to help those you love are able to care for themselves and lengthen their independence.The Cassia Learning Lab director, Kate Ingalls-Maloney, suggests listing your concerns and then deciding, with some help, which technologies fit those situations. For example, is there a concern about leaving the oven or a burner on? Perhaps theres a worry about falling in the shower. On occasion, are daily medications forgotten? Be very honest with yourself and your family about what causes hesitation or concern. Then make your list.The top two reasons people move from their homes are medication errors and falls. Insurance companies may be more likely to cover home modifications and medication management devices that are designed to prevent these two situations. Waivers and private pay are other ways to obtain home adaptations or devices, and some vendors offer a try before you buy policy.Innovations to support seniors independence and peace of mind for their caregivers.Medication management systems There are many different kinds of medication reminders and dispensing systems: From a simple flip-top dispenser to a lockable electronic dispenser that can give alerts to both the person taking the meds and to his/her remote caregiver.Fall prevention innovations Easy to install lighting, with or without motion detection, can be affordable and also very effective. The adhesive-backed LED motion lights can easily mark a trail to the bathroom at night and provide a safe path. Other strategically placed night lights or touch lamps can also help to avoid falls.Grab bars systems In the bathroom, grab bars can be installed according to the users mobility needs. Newer models incorporate towel bars and toilet paper dispensers. Note: Its important to consult your physical therapist when installing grab bars. Non-skid flooring is another great way to help prevent bathroom falls.Wearable pendants or watches There is a variety of these on the market. They can detect falls automatically or be triggered to summon help if a fall occurs. In addition, there is now a wearable (but not noticeable) tracking device that inserts into a shoe or boot so that someone who tends to wander can be located using GPS technology.Safety in the kitchen There is no need to fear to leave the oven on if you have an automatic appliance shut-off sensor system. They can be installed in both electric and gas ranges.My mother is 93 and has very arthritic hands. Ive been clipping her nails for her. (I bought her a ClipDifferent Pro) and it will allow her to be independent when it comes to doing her nails. NancyFingernail care For self-care, the ClipDifferent Pro automatic fingernail clipper and Lil Nipper automatic fingernail clipper provides a way to safely and independently clip fingernails with no risk of harm or mess. Shop for Lil Nipper or ClipDifferent Pro here.Home voice activation systems Whole-home voice activation systems like Amazons Alexa or Google home, when installed correctly, can be very helpful for controlling thermostats, lighting, doorbells, TV, or calls for help.
What does self-care mean to you? Self-care is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. This can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact. Self-care can be small acts, such as your nightly skincare routine, or brushing your hair and teeth in the morning. Self-care can also be something like exercise, which takes a little bit more thought and effort, but in the end pays off big time. The list of benefits that exercise has to your mental health is long and truly amazing. Helpguide.org lists some of those benefits as:Depression: Studies show that exercise can treat mild cases of depression just as well as medication, but without all of the side effects that typically turn people away from these types of medication. Physical movement promotes many changes in the brain like reduced inflammation and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calmness.Stress and Anxiety: The way that stress and anxiety can affect the way your body feels, is truly something to think about. Getting up and moving can relieve the tensions of stress that your body may be holding onto.PTSD and Trauma: There is evidence showing that when you really focus on your body and how it feels as you exercise, your nervous system becomes unstuck and can move away from the stress response of immobilization that comes as a PTSD response. Some other benefits that come with exercise are better sleep, more energy, higher self-esteem, and sharper memory. The best part is, that these efforts that we can make to have better self-care do not have to be overthought. Incorporating exercise into your self-care routine can be as simple as starting small. There is no need to have a big goal of being able to lift crazy weights or go for mile-long runs. Begin with fitting in a couple of 15-minute walk breaks into your workday. This is not only a great way to start getting some physical movement in, but it also can increase productivity when you return to your tasks. Finding activities you enjoy and setting realistic goals are key to making exercise a sustainable part of your routine. Remember, self-care is about prioritizing your well-being, and it's important to do what works best for you. A great way to start practicing more self-care habits is to first look at your current habits. Are there some that could be removed? One that could be modified to be either a little harder or easier? Once you do that, you can easily reflect on what self-care needs you personally have, and then can find a way to fit them into your day-to-day life. I like to write these practices down in my planner so that I have reminders to create time for them, as I know its important for me to do. Now, we at ClipDifferent are by no means physical training experts, but we have a couple of things that have worked for us to better create a self-care routine. Here are tips from the ClipDifferent team:I like to have it in my head that I want to work out every day. I often wake up and look at my day and then try to decide when I can fit in an hour to move! But the other part of this is something that I stay true to even more than just planning to exercise. And that is to not beat myself up on the days that I just couldnt find the time. I know that there will always be tomorrow, and I can push myself a little bit harder for the lost time.Modify! If I had planned that I was going to get to the gym after a long day of work, and I come home just far too tired to get there I often opt for a walk outside instead of an intense gym session, just so that I am at least moving my body. Half the time, once I do this I come back in the mood to pump out some extra movements like squats or lifting dumbbells.I love to reward myself. Getting into the habit of exercise is hard, but so worth it. I often like to reward myself on those days that I really was not in the mood, but did it anyway. One thing to note, is that I try not to make a habit of this. It can be expensive and not always the healthiest. (Grabbing a latte every day after the gym will add up!) As you reflect on your own self-care journey, consider the power of starting small and being flexible in your approach. By examining your current habits and making intentional adjustments, you can tailor your self-care routine to suit your individual needs and preferences. Whether it's modifying your workout plans, setting realistic goals, or incorporating innovative solutions like ClipDifferent for nail care, the key is to find what works best for you and stick with it.Above all, be kind to yourself throughout the process. Self-care isn't about perfectionit's about progress and self-compassion. So, celebrate your successes, learn from setbacks, and remember that every step you take towards prioritizing your well-being is a step in the right direction. With dedication, mindfulness, and a commitment to self-care, you can cultivate a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life.
As we age or face an injury, disability, or chronic condition, simple responsibilities around the home and taking care of our physical health can sometimes become too much to handle alone. However, with the right support, many of these everyday tasks can still be manageable and less overwhelming.HomeWells Personal Care services are designed specifically to meet the needs of individuals who can function on their own but require extra assistance with certain aspects of daily life. Our personalized care plans take into account the emotional and social needs of aging in place while providing additional support for activities of daily living. This approach alleviates the burdens of solitude, enhances safety, and offers assistance in navigating the complexities of life at home.How is Personal Care different?Our Personal Care plans elevate the standard of care by seamlessly integrating our Companion Care services with additional help for daily living tasks. Personal Care can be customized to include our Companion Care services plus:Daily wellness checksBathing assistanceDressing assistanceChanging bed linensMedication remindersAssistance with personal hygieneObserving and reporting changes in conditionAnd more, depending on your specific needs.
When your loved one is facing severe memory and cognitive function loss, the home should be their refugea place that inspires hope, provides comfort, and reminds them that they are loved. The familiarity of home brings a much-needed sense of comfort and security for seniors with dementia. Unfortunately, as physical and mental limitations increase due to both aging and the effects of this condition, life at home also creates many unique challenges. Thats when HomeWells Dementia Care Support can make all the difference. Well look after your loved one and help them manage their symptoms at home, giving you peace of mind and respite from the demands of being a family caregiver.Our expert Care Managers and handpicked in-home caregivers are trained in Alzheimers and dementia support as well as in-home caregiving. You can count on us to be patient and committed to ensuring they receive the attention they need and feel right at home.What is Alzheimers and Dementia Support?We preserve your loved ones daily routines to help them retain a greater sense of control and understanding of their environment, including medication reminders and assistance with meal preparation, light housekeeping, grooming, dressing, shopping, hygiene and more. We can also run errands and provide transportation.We conduct an in-depth home safety assessment and fall prevention evaluation to help them navigate their surroundings and feel more confident as they go about their day. You can rest assured knowing our trained caregivers are ensuring their well-being, providing undivided attention and always ready to help.We reassure and provide companionship. We know dementia takes a toll; our caregivers can bring emotional comfort to them as they adjust to their circumstances. By actively listening to them and validating their thoughts and feelings, we help them feel understood and valued.We provide more socialization and engagement opportunities, such as playing games and participating in their favorite hobbies to promote more cognitive stimulation or joining them on outings to help them maintain an active, vibrant life and stay connected to their communityall of which can be beneficial for memory retention and mental health.Well serve as your liaison. With a personal Care Manager and caregivers whom we match to suit your loved ones needs and preferences, you can count on us to provide dedicated care and consistently monitor the progression of their symptoms to keep you apprised of any changes. If you desire, we can also communicate with other healthcare and community providers to enhance care as part of our care management approach.Is Alzheimers and Dementia Support right for my loved one?If your loved one has Alzheimers or any other form of dementia, it can be difficult for them to navigate lifes challenges on their own. Fortunately, they dont have to; through our specialized care approach, individuals experiencing memory loss or declining cognitive function can enjoy a better quality of life and receive the help they need to feel secure and comfortable in their homes.