New Jersey -- Coping with
the effects of a stroke can be overwhelming for
everyone involved. Many stroke survivors,
and their loved ones, are faced with the reality
that they must change the way they live to accommodate
skills lost as a result of the illness.
“Changes in judgment, emotions, vision,
and perception are common occurrences after a stroke,” explains
Patricia Toglia, RN, Vice President of the Saint
Barnabas Home Health Care Agencies, which offer
a comprehensive Stroke Recovery Program designed
to maximize patient confidence and independence. “Patients
may also experience decreased attention span, depression,
memory problems and or communication deficits.”
The Agencies offer caregivers the following home
safety tips to assist loved one’s in avoiding
preventable accidents after a stroke.
- Remove throw rugs and/or tack down carpet edges
- Avoid highly polished floors
- Keep hallways and walkways free of wires and
clutter
- Use nightlights
- Investigate home care options with your loved
one’s physician
- Illuminate the top and bottom of staircases
- Extend handrails to the full length of stairs
- Wear non-slip shoes or slippers at all times
- List emergency numbers near the telephone
- Maintain smoke detectors
- Notify the local Fire and Police Departments
of your own or a loved one’s disability
- Consider an emergency response device
- Keep the telephone within reach
For more information about the Home Care Stroke
Recovery Program, please call JerseyCare Home Health
at
973-243-9666 (northern NJ) or Community Medical
Center Home Health (southern NJ) at 732-818-6800
or visit www.homehealthnj.com.
Date: March 2009
[ top ] [ back to news index ] |
