Nutritious Meals for Elderly Stroke Survivors

For many seniors, losing their appetite is normal after experiencing a stroke. However, eating healthy foods is an important part of recovery, and it can also reduce the risk of another stroke. Here are some nutritious meal options senior stroke survivors should try. 

Skinless Chicken

Reducing your elderly loved one’s saturated fat intake is a good way to help him or her recover from a stroke. Saturated fat is one of the main causes of heart disease, and eating too much of it can also lead to obesity. Your loved one should avoid eating chicken with the skin as well as fried chicken and opt for baked chicken instead. 

Switching to nutritious meals is one of the many ways older adults can maintain their health. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional in-home care. Prescott, AZ, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Baked Fish 

A stroke can negatively impact your loved one’s brain. The brain controls emotions and behaviors, and it needs regular stimulation to function properly. Baked fish is a good meal choice for seniors when recovering from a stroke because it contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a nutrient that is essential to brain health. DHA is necessary for brain development and for protecting the brain during and after a stroke. Fish is one of the very few foods that contain DHA, which is why it should be included in your loved one’s diet. 

Salad

Some senior stroke survivors should eat meatless entrees while on the road to recovery. Cauliflower baked pasta salad and quinoa Greek salad are two options your loved one might enjoy. Salads are full of leafy greens and other vegetables that are rich in nutrients. Make sure to add avocado oil or vinaigrette to your loved one’s salads at mealtime. Consuming a small amount of vinaigrette each day could reduce the risk of heart disease. Avoiding high-calorie toppings and dressings with high-fat content can help your loved one lose weight and keep his or her blood and oxygen flowing normally. 

Seniors who need help preparing nutritious meals can benefit from professional in-home care. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Prescott seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers. 

Smoothie 

Many senior stroke survivors have difficulty chewing and swallowing food, which can lead to malnutrition. It is important your loved one gets the nutrition he or she needs to maintain heart health and prevent a recurrent stroke. Eating foods that are easy to chew and swallow can also help with oral health. Smoothies full of fruits and vegetables can provide your loved one with nutrients that boost circulation and prevent clogged arteries and other issues that increase the risk of a second stroke. 

Soup

Low-sodium soups provide elderly stroke survivors with fiber and several essential nutrients. A meal high in fiber can lower your loved one’s blood cholesterol, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Seniors recovering from strokes need to eat homemade soups instead of canned soups.

Some of the soups your loved one should eat include:

• Chicken noodle soup
  
• Butternut soup (No fat or sugar added)
  
• Lentil vegetable soup
  
• Southwestern soup

Senior stroke survivors can speed up the recovery process and prevent further strokes by making healthy lifestyle changes. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining healthy habits, consider hiring a professional elderly caregiver. Prescott families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide dedicated and compassionate in-home caregivers who are trained in our holistic Balanced Care Method, which was designed to encourage seniors to exercise often, eat nutritious foods, maintain strong social ties, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. To learn about our premier home care plans, call one of our professional Care Managers at 928-771-0105 today.

Visit our website today @ www.homecareassistanceprescott.com 

10 Negative Emotions Family Caregivers Experience

Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times. Being a caregiver, you may experience a variety of emotions that have a negative impact on your wellbeing. Take a look at some of the most common negative emotions caregivers tend to experience. 

1. Anger

In the event you were forced to become a family caregiver, you may be angered by the many challenges you face on a daily basis. It is a good idea to ask for help from family and friends. You can also use in-home respite care to ease your load. 

If you are the primary caregiver for a senior family member and you need respite care, Prescott, Arizona, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Our respite caregivers are trained to assist older adults with a wide variety of everyday tasks, including meal prep, physical activity, and personal hygiene. We also provide 24-hour care and specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. 

2. Guilt

Leaving your loved one in someone else’s care while you manage your personal and professional commitments may cause you to feel guilty. However, it is important to take care of your own affairs because it can help you organize your life. 

3. Embarrassment

Seniors who are unable to walk on their own, use the restroom without assistance, or hold a civilized conversation often cause their caregivers to feel ashamed and embarrassed. You may assume everyone is making fun of you and your loved one. Remember your loved one is facing difficulty with this transition, so you need to remain supportive. 

4. Fear

Seeing your loved one’s health deteriorate over time could cause you to experience fear and uncertainty, which could lead to serious health issues such as a stroke or heart attack. You need to learn how to help your loved one manage the aging process. 

5. Irritability 

Failing to get enough rest is something many family caregivers experience. A lack of rest could result in exhaustion, which could make you irritable and easily agitated. You may begin lashing out at everyone, including your loved one. To keep agitation at bay, consider hiring a professional caregiver and taking time off to relax and recharge. 

6. Sadness

Feeling hopeless or being overwhelmed with your caregiving duties could cause you to become sad and unhappy. You may find yourself crying for no reason or isolating your friends and family. It is important to talk to your friends about your concerns because they can help you let off steam and lift your spirits. 

7. Jealousy

Seeing other family members achieve their goals and maintain careers while you are caring for your loved one on a full-time basis could cause jealousy and bitterness. You need to maintain a social life and continue following your dreams. Hiring a professional caregiver to help around the home may free up time to work on your goals. 

If your aging loved one needs help managing the tasks of daily living and you’re searching for a reliable, expertly trained in-home caregiver, Prescott, AZ, Home Care Assistance is your top choice. At Home Care Assistance, our caregivers strive to make aging in place a safer and more comfortable experience for seniors so they can enjoy their golden years in better health. 

8. Defeat 

Although you may try to do everything the doctor says, there is no guarantee you can slow your loved one’s cognitive decline or prevent him or her from developing chronic illnesses. All you can do is your best. Learning to accept your best can help you reduce feelings of defeat. 

9. Detachment 

You need to find a balance between living your life and being a caregiver because failing to do so could lead to detachment. You may begin to neglect your own emotional, mental, and physical needs. Learn how to lean on others for help. Having a helping hand around frees up time for you to take care of your own health and personal commitments. 

10. Impatience 

Impatience is a negative emotion you may experience if your loved one begins to have mobility issues or develops an illness that impacts his or her communication abilities. While it is normal to feel impatient from time to time, you must never lash out at your loved one. Remind yourself that you cannot control everything, and there will be times when your loved one goes off schedule. You should also set more time aside to complete goals and tasks for the day.

Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Prescott, AZ, senior care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your loved one, give us a call at 928-771-0105 today.

Visit us today @ www.homecareassistanceprescott.com