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Key Takeaways
- A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is restricted or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts
- In addition to therapy, several effective techniques and products have been developed to assist patients during the recovery process as they work to regain independence
- The tips discussed in this article are specifically suited for stroke survivors
Top Products in This Article
National Stroke Awareness Month is observed during the month of May. This month helps educate the public about stroke awareness and prevention. In this article, we discuss a variety of useful tips and products that help patients regain independence after a stroke. Keep reading to learn more!
Table of Contents
- Life After a Stroke
- Tips to Make Dressing Easier After a Stroke
- Dining Aids for Home Health Care
- Tools for Bathing Independently
- At Home Mobility Assistance
Life After a Stroke
Research indicates that more than 700,000 people in the United States suffer from a stroke each year. Strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the nation, and the third-leading cause of disability.1
What causes a stroke?
A stroke is caused when blood supply to the brain is reduced or interrupted, which prevents the brain from receiving the oxygen required to function normally. Without oxygen, brain cells immediately start to die.2 There are several types of strokes, which vary in severity. The earlier a stroke is detected, and treatment is received, the better the outcome.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
How can patients recover after a stroke?
Studies show that patients generally recover more quickly when they participate in a stroke recovery program. These programs are designed to help stroke survivors relearn skills that they may have lost because of a stroke.1 Hemiparesis is a condition that is identified by weakness or difficulty moving on one side of the body, increasing the difficulty of everyday tasks. It affects approximately 80 percent of stroke survivors, causing one-sided weakness in the arms, hands, face, chest, legs, or feet.3 Professional therapists can help patients regain their independence by teaching them ways to overcome hemiparesis and increase mobility. These techniques include learning how to dress and eat with one hand, as well as mastering bathing and walking with aids. This article provides insight into some commonly used tips and suggests products that make the recovery process easier.
To read more about education for stroke survivors & caregivers, check out this article.
Tips to Make Dressing Easier After a Stroke
After a stroke, everyday tasks can be daunting. One of the most common challenges that stroke survivors face following a stroke is dressing. Initially, getting dressed will be slow and frustrating. However, after some practice, the process will take less time and become easier. It is important to learn how to use the unaffected arm effectively to get back to an independent dressing routine as soon as possible. Below is a list of helpful tips to try at home!
1. Stay seated when dressing
To reduce the risk of a fall which could cause injury, simply sit down while you are dressing. Sitting in a chair or on the bed allows you to save energy and safely dress. If you need to stand up to pull up your pants, make sure to hold on to something sturdy for support.
2. Before getting dressed, lay your clothes out in the order that you will put them on
To avoid added difficulty when getting dressed, ensure that you plan your outfit in advance and give yourself plenty of time to get ready. Lay out your out clothes in the order that is easiest to put them on. Select loose fitting, stretchy clothing that is easy to slip on to start. As you get more comfortable, you can incorporate more fitted outfits to your daily wardrobe.
3. Do what you can to get ready ahead of time
There are certain tasks that you can complete ahead of time to simplify the dressing process. If your pants require a belt or your shoes need to be tied, complete these tasks while sitting before putting on the rest of your clothes. This is a great way to conserve your energy.
4. To dress, use your unaffected arm to dress the affected side. To undress, take your clothing off the unaffected side, then remove it from the affected side
When you start to dress, use your stronger limbs on the unaffected side to dress your weaker side first. This helps give you more stability and support. To undress, remove your clothing from the unaffected side before removing it from the affected side.
5. Put items away in the same place each time so they are easy to find
At the end of the day when putting your clothes away, ensure that commonly used garments are put in the same place so that you know where they are and can easily reach for them when you look for them next.
6. Take advantage of the dressing aids that are available
Fortunately, many products have been developed to assist with the dressing process. A dressing stick is a great tool for anyone with restrictive movement. It can help you pull clothing into place and reduce reaching. Elastic laces help to eliminate bending, tie them once and you will never need to tie them again!
Living independently after a stroke is not an easy task. During this adjustment, always remember to acknowledge your hard work and be patient. Be sure to take advantage of tools and techniques like the ones discussed above to make the tasks involved with independent living easier.
A Sock and Stocking Aid makes it easier to put on socks without bending. This product helps individuals with a reduced range of motion dress more independently. Choose an aid with a continuous loop handle to pull on socks using only one hand. Follow these easy steps to simplify the dressing process:
- The sock and stocking aid is available in various sizes and rope lengths to accommodate users of different mobility levels. First, select a size and an option best suited for you
- Place sock aid between your legs to stabilize and pull sock over the plastic trough
- Drop sock aid to floor, holding onto handle and insert foot
- Pull the cord’s foam handles straight back to bring the sock over the heel and up the leg
- For one-handed use, use the Continuous Loop Cord with single foam handle
Dining Aids for Home Health Care
Many stroke survivors begin the recovery process with the need for more practical tools for eating. Adaptive tools have been developed to assist patients with eating independently. Check out the list of popular products that Performance Health offers to help make this process as easy as possible.
1. Sure Grip Bendable Utensils
Following a stroke, it can be challenging to regain independence at mealtime. Hand tremors make it difficult to hold utensils and can lead to a mess while eating. Sure Grip Bendable Utensils provide easy bending at any angle, assisting those with a reduced range of motion. The utensilsy bend just above the handle at a more comfortable angle for users and accommodate a variety of grip positions. This product is ideal for individuals with restricted mobility, diminished strength, and/or limited hand and wrist dexterity.
2. Hi-D Pairing Board
The Hi-D Paring Board is a kitchen aid designed for individuals with reduced hand strength or who have only the use of one hand. The corner guard is perfect for holding a piece of bread to butter with one hand and the two spikes hold food for cutting or slicing. This product has four rubber suction feet to keep the board securely in one place.
3. Homecraft Kitchen Workstation
The Homecraft Kitchen Workstation includes a corner guard, grater, slicer, and a clamp to hold food, jars, or bowls.
4. Spill-Not Jar & Bottle Opener
The Spill-Not Jar & Bottle Opener is a tool ideal for one handed operation or for users with a weak grasp. It has a plastic, non-skid base with three rubber-lined, cone shaped openings to hold different bottles and jars. This set also includes a rubber lid opener provides a firm grip for an easy opening of tops and lids. It is important to consult with a medical professional when trying new methods of pain relief.
5. Rocker Knife - with Plastic Handle
The rocker knife is an easy-to-use adaptive knife cuts food with a rocking motion. Constructed with an ergonomic T-shaped handle to grasp, the blade is then gently “rocked” back and forth through the food to cut it. Easy to grip, the knife is designed to help mitigate pain and to reduce the risk of a cutting injury.
Read this helpful article for more Tips and Tools for One Handed Cooking.
Tools for Bathing Independently
Bathing independently can be another challenge following a stroke. The proper equipment can help ensure safety when bathing. Products have been developed to help increase traction, grip, and overall safety.
Adding a non-slip mat to the bottom of your tub or shower can help reduce your risk of falls. A grab bar offers a place for you to hold onto when entering or exiting your bath or shower. The extra support can help keep you safe in the bathroom. Choose a textured grab rail for better grip even when wet.
Balance problems can make it dangerous to stand during your shower. A bath bench or shower chair provides you with a place to sit while bathing. A bath bench also makes it easier to get into your tub without stepping over the lip.
At Home Mobility Assistance
Following a stroke, survivors often experience weakness or paralysis. Signals from the brain to the muscles may not work correctly due to brain damage. In addition, muscles can become very tight, restricting overall mobility. Living independently can be scary after a stroke, especially when movement is limited. Luckily, there are a variety of mobility devices available that can help survivors move more freely and regain strength.
A stroke walker is designed for those who have suffered from a stroke with its center grip that can be positioned for either right or left-hand use by adjusting two bolts.
For added assistance when walking, a lema strap is a great tool that can be used for rehabilitation. It helps correct various gait problems. This strap helps with ankle dorsiflexion, knee extension, hip hiking, flexion, and internal or external rotation. It can be used for the right or left leg.
The Drive Universal Seat Height Aluminum Rollator is another option for patients. This mobility aid makes walking easier and can be adjusted to a custom fit. It also includes a padded seat and backrest, perfect for taking breaks.
To increase stability, a Days Standard Cane can significantly reduce the risk of falls and help facilitate movement, ultimately increasing user independence.
Recap
A stroke is one of the most common causes of death and disability in the United States. Fortunately, over 70% of individuals survive a stroke and can return to living independently with proper treatment. In addition to the tips and products discussed in this article, stroke survivors should ensure that they get plenty of rest, maintain a balanced diet, and follow the guidance of a licensed physical therapist and physician.
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References:
1. After a Stroke: Recovering, Relearning, and Regaining Independence. (2020, October 29). Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3qRoqh3
2. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021, February 09). Stroke. Retrieved from https://mayocl.in/3hkOlL7
3. American Heart Association editorial staff. (n.d.). Hemiparesis. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3hVkrw8
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
