Recovering from a stroke can be a long process for seniors and their caregivers. The body will need to rebuild its strength and control after the damage, and daily activities can become difficult to do without assistance. Here are five of the best exercises senior stroke survivors can do to regain strength, mobility, and cognitive function.
1. Core Exercises
After a stroke, your elderly loved one may have difficulty gaining control and strength on one side of the body. If your loved one has a strong core, it will be easier for the rest of his or her body to recover from a stroke. It’s important to focus on the affected side of the body when doing core exercises. Failing to do so could lead to decreased bone density and increased risk of bone loss and fractures. Here are some easy core exercises for seniors:
- Knee rolling
- Single leg bridging
- Single leg dropouts
An in-home caregiver can help your loved one exercise in safety and comfort. Families looking for top-rated home care service providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
2. Leg Exercises
After a stroke, a senior might face issues with balance and coordination, which could make walking, standing, and other simple actions difficult to do. The stroke could also cause the muscles to weaken around the hip area. However, leg exercises can strengthen the muscles and increase range of motion. Some of the exercises listed below can also build coordination in the lower body:
- Toe and heel raises
- Sitting knee extensions
- Foot and ankle circles
3. Hand Exercises
Regaining motor skills is an important part of the stroke recovery process. Many seniors experience issues with hand movement after strokes. Regaining complete function of the hands can be challenging, but doing hand exercises could ease the process over time. Your loved one should consider using strength balls when exercising the hands. Your parent can also use putty for a variety of hand exercises, including:
- Power grip
- Finger scissors
- Fingertip pinch
A professional caregiver can be a fantastic source of information and support for a senior recovering from a stroke. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of Northern Kentucky home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
4. Arm Exercises
Strokes can make it difficult for seniors to perform simple tasks, such as grasping objects, moving their arms forward, or releasing items. Below are a few basic arm exercises your loved one can do to gain increased function in his or her arms:
- Inner arm stretches
- Wrist and hand stretches
- Wrist motions
- Elbow stretches
5. Language Exercises
Seniors may experience problems with speaking and communicating after a stroke. Language exercises can help your parent understand words, learn to read, speak clearly, and regain the ability to write. Some of the language exercises can increase strength and endurance in the muscles your parent uses when speaking. Here are a few language exercises your loved one can do:
- Breathe in and out
- Watch speech and language videos
- Use speech therapy apps (virtual conversations with computer)
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Northern Kentucky, KY, senior care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of an around-the-clock caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. If you need professional home care for your aging loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care of Northern Kentucky today at (859)-444-5699.
