If your loved one suffered a stroke and is unable to care for themself, then in-home nursing services may be an appropriate choice. While moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home are other viable options, many senior stroke patients want to stay in their homes and preserve their independence as much as possible. Furthermore, recovering in the privacy of their own homes may help promote healing when patients remain in their own familiar environments. Here are some ways a home health nurse can help a stroke survivor recover while living at home.

Passive Range-Of-Motion Exercises

Regardless of whether the stroke survivor is partially paralyzed, completely paralyzed, or only has minimal physical deficits, range-of-motion exercises are essential to the healing process. If your loved one is completely paralyzed, then the home health nurse can perform passive range-of-motion exercises on the patient.

Passive range-of-motion exercises are typically performed on those who are unable to move the affected body part on their own. When this is the case, the in-home nursing services provider moves the stroke survivor's limb through the various degrees of its range-of-motion. This helps promote circulation, lowers the risk for contractures, and enhances joint flexibility. Active range-of-motion exercises can be performed by patients who are still able to move their limbs through a complete series of range-of-motion movements.

Reduce Bedsore Risk

Stroke patients may be at a heightened risk for developing pressure ulcers, or bedsores. This is because many patients with partial or total paralysis are unable to reposition themselves in their beds. When pressure is placed on a bony prominence such as a heel, elbow, or hip for long periods of time, the skin can begin to break down, and if not noticed and treated quickly, a deep bedsore may develop. 

If your loved one is unable to change positions independently, then the home health nurse will reposition the patient every couple of hours. During position changes, the nurse will also inspect the skin for any open or reddened areas. If skin breakdown is noticed, the nurse will notify the patient's physician, who will prescribe a skin treatment. 

If your loved one is a stroke survivor and can no longer live independently in their home, contact a local in-home nursing service. The representative at the agency will explain your home care nursing options and tell you if all or part of your loved one's care might be covered under his or her insurance plan.

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