National Day of Encouragement focuses on cheering others on and encouraging them to do their best or try their hardest. Since your dad’s stroke, he’s been working with a physical therapy provider, but he becomes very frustrated. Spend September 12th helping him get through his exercises with a positive attitude.
Create the Right Environment
What would make your dad happier to do his PT exercises? Would he like to clear out a lot of space in the family room? Would he rather have you set up a more private space in a den where others are less likely to interrupt?
Add a speaker to play his favorite music while he exercises. If he finds certain scents to be relaxing, use aromatherapy to ease his stress. Have a refillable water bottle nearby to ensure he stays hydrated. Fruits like blueberries, grapes, strawberries, and watermelon are also hydrating.
Do His Exercises with Physical Therapy Aides’ Guidance
What are the exercises your dad has to work on? If he’s doing leg lifts, join him and do them together. If he’s supposed to step up and back down from a stair for five minutes, support him while he does them.
As your dad gains strength, keep helping him. Encourage him to keep going. If he’s done enough leg lifts, steps, or other exercises and still feels like he could do more, ask if he’s allowed to keep going. If his physical therapy aide says he’s fine doing more than he needs to, support him while he does.
Plan Something Fun as a Reward
Once he’s done his exercises all week without fuss, do something fun. Make his favorite cookies, take him to his favorite walking trail, or go see a movie. He might like to go out to dinner at his favorite restaurant, make reservations, and get the family to join him
If he isn’t able to leave the home yet, have your brothers, sisters, and other close family members come to his home. Plan a dinner where everyone contributes. Order takeout or cook his favorite dishes. If everyone brings something, there’s less prep work and cooking to complete.
Make Sure Your Dad’s Expectations Are Realistic
Your dad needs to know that he won’t be back to normal in a day or two. It can take weeks and months. There’s also the chance that he’ll never fully regain all of his movements. He might always have a hard time clutching a pen in his hand or stepping over a curb.
Physical therapy is the best way to regain mobility after a stroke. Your dad’s full mobility may not return, but every movement he can make will help him. The more he works on his physical therapy exercises, the more flexibility and movement he’ll regain. Talk to his physical therapy aide and learn how you can help him with his daily routines.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Physical Therapy Services in Milton GA please contact the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (404) 266-8773
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Atlanta, Palmetto, Alpharetta, Chattahoochee Hills, Milton, College Park, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Hapeville, Johns Creek, and all of Fulton County.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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