Recognizing PAD from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a vascular disease that restricts or blocks blood flow in the legs. Since it can cause infestion and possible loss of a leg as well as increasing the risk for heart disease, aortic aneurysms and stroke it is important that you be able to recognize the symptoms. The following article lists the risk factors and symptoms of this disease.

Recognizing peripheral artery disease

The Basics Of Stroke Care from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

There are many things a caregiver needs to be proficient in for the proper care of stroke victims. Here are the basics of stroke care for family and friends who have opted to provide care to stroke patients.

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Would You Recognize the Symptoms of a Stroke? Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

A TIA or transient ischemic attack is often known as a mini stroke. It is also a warning for an impending major stroke. Treatment can reduce the risk of a major stroke but many people don't recognize the signs that they have a TIA or ignore it because the symptoms don't last. The American Stroke Association lists the symptoms here:

Learn to Recognize a Stroke

Communicating When Your Loved One Can't Speak from Comfort Keepers Elder care in Troy, MO

When stroke, Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia rob our parents or other loved ones of the ability to speak, communication can become difficult. The following article has some great tips on how to deal with it.

How to Communicate When Your Elderly Parent Can No Longer Speak

Physical Therapists Role in Stroke Care from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

Physical Therapy for Stroke Survivors

Author: Gia Patterson

What a Physical Therapist Does

A physical therapist treats a person to relieve pain, build up and restore muscle function, and maintain the best possible performance. The therapist does this by using physical means such as active and passive exercise, massage, heat, water, and electricity. Broadly speaking, a physical therapist:

· sets up the goals of treatment with patient and family
· shows how to use special equipment
· instructs in routine daily functions
· teaches safe ways to move
· sets up and teaches an exercise program

NOTE: The American Physical Therapy Association, often located in the state capital, can provide a list of licensed therapists.


What a Physical Therapist Determines

Depending on a person's physical condition, a therapist may work on range-of-motion exercises, correct body positions when resting, devices to help the person in your care, and other simple ways to improve daily functions. A physical therapist checks things that can affect a person's daily activities:

· the person's attitude toward his situation
· how well he can move his muscles and joints (range of motion)
· his ability to see, smell, hear, and feel
· what he can do on his own and what he needs to learn
· his equipment needs, now and in the future
· what can be improved in the home to make moving around safer and more comfortable
· who can and will help to give support

Range-of-Motion (ROM) Exercises

The purpose of range-of-motion exercises is to relieve pain, maintain normal body alignment (positions), help prevent skin swelling and breakdown, and promote bone formation. A ROM exercise program should be started before deformities develop. Here are some things to do when you are asked to help with exercises at home:

· Communicate what you are doing.
· Use the flats of both hands, not the fingertips, to hold a body part.
· Take each movement only as far as the joint will go into a comfortable stretch. (Mild discomfort is okay, but it should go away quickly.)
· Do each exercise 3 to 5 times.
· Use slow steady movements to help relax muscles and increase joint range.
· If joints are swollen and painful, exercise very gently.

Proper Positions to Use When Resting:

· flat on the back or no more than 30° raised
· prone (lying flat) on the stomach (for up to 20 to 30 minutes only, not for sleeping)
· one-quarter left or right turn onto the back
· three-quarters right or left turn on to the stomach
· aided by special positioning devices (for example, splints for leg, foot, hand, or back support)

About the Author:

Caring.com Editorial Team

Caring.com features original content focused exclusively on eldercare matters. Our 20+ editors and writers research and fact-check every article meticulously, and our advisory board reviews the site regularly to assure the accuracy and relevance of the material we publish. We have hundreds of articles and checklists on health, housing, finance, legal and family issues, and other caregiving concerns, and we're adding new articles and other resources every day.


Stroke Physical Therapy

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Physical Therapy for Stroke Survivors

Symptoms of a Stroke from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

The quicker someone gets treatment for a stroke the better the chance of making a full recovery becomes. Knowing the symptoms of a stroke can help you get care for the person exhibiting them faster. The following article describes these symptoms:

Stroke Symptoms

Caring for an Elderly Loved One Who's had a Stroke in Troy, MO

Strokes often happen without warning, it can leave a loved one who was able to care for themselves in need of 24/7 care. Strokes can affect mobility, memory, speech and more. The American Stoke Association has put out this 15 tips to help make caregiving for a stroke victim a little bit easier.

15 Things Caregivers Should Know After a Loved One Has Had a Stroke