3 Tips for Healthful Stroke Care

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stroke care

Are you considering serving as a caregiver for your family member in Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Belleair, or Safety Harbor? As providers of hourly and live-in services, we know how challenging it can be to adjust to the changes that come with providing stroke care. But we also understand that progress is possible. With the proper plan, a vigilant caregiver, and an efficient team of healthcare providers, your loved one will have the support they need for recovery.

1. Balanced Diet

After your family member has experienced a stroke, they are more susceptible to a second one. This is especially true if they don’t adhere to stroke care recommendations, so provide meals made from whole foods. Some tips for maintaining a healthy diet include:

  • Opt for lean meat and plant proteins, like nuts and legumes
  • Eliminate sources of sodium
  • Increase fruit and vegetable intake
  • Include foods rich in potassium

As their caregiver, you can monitor what they eat. This means you have to drive past their favorite fast food joint in Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Belleair, or Safety Harbor even if they make a special request. French fries are not an adequate vegetable, and a ¼ pounder isn’t considered lean meat! It may be tasty and make them happy at the moment, but it’s a risky move for recovering patients. The high amount of sodium causes high blood pressure, which increases the possibility of recurrence. Opt for fruits and vegetables, which are full of vitamins and minerals. Some that are high in potassium include spinach, white and sweet potatoes, and bananas.

2. Regular Exercise

Walks are an ideal way to regain stamina and strength, so encourage daily activity in Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Belleair or Safety Harbor. Regular exercise increases the production of endorphins, which can affect motivation and overall attitude. It also provides a change of scenery for patients who may be in bed more than they are used to. You or your loved one may feel sad or frustrated because they were once very active, but we encourage you to focus on progress. Comparisons aren’t helpful or productive, and each case is different.

3. Enlist Help

Stroke care is a major undertaking, which is why we want to include a tip for caregivers. We know you want what’s best for your loved one, but how can you provide the best care without caring for yourself? To make this possible, some caregivers in Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Belleair, and Safety Harbor hire members of our live-in stroke care staff. Knowing your parent or spouse is in the hands of a responsible, trained individual can improve your peace of mind.

Home Care Assistance Tampa Bay for Stroke Care

Home Care Assistance Tampa Bay is ready to help families in Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Belleair, and Safety Harbor by providing services that fit your needs. We know that each treatment plan is unique to the patient receiving stroke care, so you can count on individualized services from our trained professionals. Call 727-330-7862 to contact our manager!

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