2 Tips For Keeping Your Loved One From Falling At Home After A Stroke
Posted on: 6 January 2020
If you are providing care at home for a loved one who recently suffered from a stroke, you may worry about their safety, especially when they try to get up and move around. While you may also believe that your worries are unfounded, falls are a major concern for stroke victims, with 37 percent falling within the first few months after the episode. To help your family member from becoming a part of these statistics, consider using the tips below for preventing a fall while caring for your loved one at home after a stroke.
1. Arrange Any Necessities on Your Loved One's Strong Side
When your loved one gets home from the hospital after their stroke, they are most likely going to spend a lot of time in bed or in a chair because their mobility will be greatly decreased. Because of this, you will be responsible for making sure they have everything they need, such as something to drink, a snack, their phone, or the remote control.
However, where to place these items is just as important as what you provide your family member. You need to make sure you place everything on the strong, unaffected side of their body. Not only will this allow them to easily lift and use the items, but if you put things on their weak side, they will be unable to fully support themselves when they have to reach for them with their good hand. This unsupported reaching could then cause them to fall off the bed or out of the chair.
2. Set up a Notification Strategy for When They Need to Get out of Bed
As your family member grows stronger, they will be anxious to get out of bed or off the sofa and move around, or they may have orders to perform exercises to help strengthen their muscles. Especially in the first month or so while they are still weakened by the stroke, they should never attempt to get up by themselves.
To ensure that you are always alerted to their need to get up, set up some sort of notification system that they can use to get your attention. You can use a bell or even a baby monitor so that they can let you know to come and assist them.
Using the above tips is only a part of coming up with an at-home fall prevention plan for your loved one after they have suffered from a stroke. For more information and guidance on keeping your family member safe, speak with a home care agency to not only come up with a plan of care but to also discuss your options for getting assistance taking care of your loved one during their recovery period.
Share