A Breath of Fresh Air

More than 750,000 Americans experience a stroke every year. Readjusting to life after a stroke can be overwhelming, but SYNERGY HomeCare Gerontologist Dr. Macie Smith has tips for a successful home-based recovery. When focusing on stroke recovery at home, be sure to review all of the information you received from the hospital and/or rehab facility. This will include any new medications that have been prescribed. It will also include information about in-home care providers for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. If there are prescriptions for any durable medical equipment like a walker or gait belt, make sure to understand how to use them properly.As you recalibrate to your at-home routine, it is important that you stick to the prescribed therapy sessions and that you do the prescribed exercises in between home visits from your therapists.The biggest focus of stroke recovery is getting ones strength back. But its equally important to recognize that a full recovery from a stroke may mean having a new baseline of ability and function. That means you may not get back to what you had before the stroke. Doing your therapy will mean that you get as much back as you possibly can.Another important component of recovery relates to understanding the recovery journey, which is specific to each person. Knowing what to expect during recovery can help manage expectations so frustration or despair doesnt set in. Talk with the doctors and therapists to get a clear picture on how much progress you might expect to make over specific time periods.Pay attention to your or your loved ones mental state during this period of recovery. An extreme sad mood lasting longer than two weeks may be a sign of depression, which will need to be addressed.The bottom line is that there are a lot of moving parts during stroke recovery at home. Family caregivers may be overwhelmed and need some assistance with activities of daily living. Respite care for the family caregiver may also be warranted.SYNERGY HomeCare offers highly personalized levels of quality care as early as pre-discharge from the hospital, and our Stroke Recovery program specializes in supporting a recovery plan at homethe best place to be.To learn how SYNERGY HomeCare can support you following a stay in the hospital, click here.Dr. Macie P. Smith is a licensed gerontology social worker who is focused on helping families support their aging loved ones through long-term care. Specifically, Dr. Smith educates caregivers on how to care for seniors with dementia. She is an advocate for specialized care and assists others in finding a way to provide a better quality of life for individuals with Alzheimers or dementia. Dr. Smith has dedicated over 22 years of her life working in gerontology and assisting families in finding personalized solutions for dementia care. For more information, please call 720-204-5788.

Did you know September is National Senior Center Month? Senior benefits centers are often overlooked as a vital source of support for our older loved ones. Heres what you should know.1. How to Find a Senior CenterAs of 2024, there are an estimated 11,000 senior centers in the U.S., serving roughly 1 million older adults every day. In contrast, there are roughly 58 million Americans over the age of 65, meaning that many are neglecting the benefits of the services available at these centers.One of the biggest reasons these centers are underutilized is because not everyone knows how easy they are to find. A simple Google search for senior centers near me, can redirect you to your towns office of aging and disabled services, or you can also visit the website for your local Area Agency on Aging. Both resources can provide you with plenty of options and information about the senior centers nearest to you.2. A Senior Center is a Community HubSenior centers not only provide older adults with a community hub to interact with other people of the same age, but they also provide productive outlets to keep our older loved ones engaged. From fitness classes and health screenings to organized social events and parties, a senior center can provide a lifestyle similar to what youd find at an upscale country club.3. Senior Centers Combat IsolationOne of the biggest risks to older adults is isolation. Isolation can expedite the aging process and is a leading factor behind depression in older adults. Senior centers offer the perfect social outlet to avoid these threats by providing older adults with a wealth of group-centric entertainment options to choose from.4. Senior Centers Promote Health & WellnessMany of these group activities are centered around fitness and health. From group yoga to swim classes to readily available health screenings, there is no shortage of options to choose from for a person to stay in shape at a senior center.5. Senior Centers Provide Support and ServicesSenior centers can also handle many day-to-day needs for older adults that they may not feel comfortable doing on their own. Some centers come with in-house nutritional programs and meal prep to keep diets balanced, while others also provide transportation assistance and direct access to other nearby social services. The ultimate goal of these senior centers is to provide the everyday assistance that an older adult may need in order to continue living independently.SYNERGY HomeCare offers many services that complement those found at a typical senior benefits center. Both outlets are designed to provide much-needed respite for everyday caregivers, meaning your local SYNERGY HomeCare office likely has a close working relationship with nearby senior benefits centers.If you want to tap into SYNERGY HomeCares professional in-home caregiving services, visit our website here, or call (877) 432-2692. Conversely, if you need information or guidance on how to get your older loved one some out-of-home help, the professionals at your nearest SYNERGY HomeCare location are happy to point you in the right direction. If you have any questions, please call us at 720-204-5788.

Do you have a loved one living in an assisted living facility? Assisted living facilities are residences designed for people who are independent but need some help with daily activities. These facilities can be freestanding communities, part of a retirement community or integrated within nursing homes or hospitals.Assisted living maximizes the dignity and independence of residents while also providing 24-hour supervision. In addition to housing, which can range from a private or shared bedroom to a full apartment, assisted living facilities generally provide meals, housekeeping, transportation, security and activities for residents for a set monthly cost. In addition to monthly costs, personal care services may be provided at an additional charge. Such personal care services could include laundry, medication reminders, or assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, and ambulating/transferring.While people in assisted living dont require skilled nursing around the clock, they do need help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Depending on the facility and its staffing ratios, your loved one may need additional one-on-one care to complement the care provided by the facility staff. In addition to always being ready to help with ADLs, SYNERGY HomeCares assisted living home care services can provide more regular supervision and companionship as well as encourage your loved one to eat meals or participate in activities.This added layer of support for your loved one living in an assisted living facility can provide you with peace of mind, as well as help reduce the anxiety and agitation your loved one may experience in a new environment.If youre interested in supplemental caregiving, begin by consulting the facilitys administration to understand what services they cover and where a professional caregiver can add the most value. SYNERGY HomeCares assisted living home care services ensure that the caregiver, while working at the facility, will report directly to the loved ones family who contracted their care.In my opinion, this offers the best of both worlds: a safe and secure living situation with the added support of a personalized caregiver.Dr. Macie P. Smith is a licensed gerontology social worker who is focused on helping families support their aging loved ones through long-term care. Specifically, Dr. Smith educates caregivers on how to care for seniors with dementia. She is an advocate for specialized care and assists others in finding a way to provide a better quality of life for individuals with Alzheimers or dementia. Dr. Smith has dedicated over 22 years of her life working in gerontology and assisting families in finding personalized solutions for dementia care. If you have any questions, please call us at 720-204-5788.