Different Types, One Challenge: Depression After a Stroke

“I feel a sense of sadness and joy. Mostly sadness though about what I’ve experienced and sadness about what others have experienced in reference to the stroke.” –Luther Vandross

Stroke is one event that forever alters a man or a woman’s life. And once it occurs, it leaves a lasting impression. Numerous disabilities can result from that major event. Such impairments vary from speech deficits, physical disabilities, problems with cognition and many more. It even includes problems affecting moods and emotions.

Continue reading →

The Bathroom

Many accidents happen in bathrooms, so check the safety of the bathroom that you will use for home care.

Safety

• Cover all sharp edges with rubber cushioning.
• Install lights in medicine cabinets so mistakes are not made when taking medicine.
• Remove locks on bathroom doors.
• Use nonskid safety strips or a nonslip bath mat in the tub or shower.
• Consider installing a grab rail on the edge of the vanity. (Do not use a towel bar.)
• Remove glass shower doors or replace them with unbreakable plastic.
• Use only electrical appliances with a ground fault interrupted (GFI) feature.
• Install GFI electrical outlets.
• Set the hot water thermostat below 120°F.
• Use faucets that mix hot and cold water, or paint hot water knobs and faucets red.
• Insulate hot water pipes to prevent burns.
• Install toilet guard rails or provide a portable toilet seat with built-in rails.

If possible, have a shower stall that is large enough for two people. Use a hand-held shower head with a very long hose and adjustable jet stream. Put a tub seat or bench in the shower stall.

Continue reading →

The Home Environment

The ideal home for a stroke victim is having a one level (ground floor) house. Having more than one floor is all right only if there is an elevator or another approved lift device, or if the person in your care does not need to go to the second floor. The ideal care home is laid out in such a way that the caregiver and the stroke victim can see each other from other rooms.

Safety

For the safest home, follow as many of these steps as possible:

To accommodate a wheelchair, arrange furniture 5 1/2 feet apart.

Furniture

• Remove all furniture that is not needed.
• Place the remaining furniture so that there is enough space for a walker or wheelchair. This will avoid the need for a person who is elderly or disabled to move around coffee tables and other barriers. Move any low tables that are in the way.
• Once the person in your care has gotten used to where the furniture is, do not change it.
• Make sure furniture will not move if leaned on.
• Ensure that the armrests of a favorite chair are long enough to help the stroke patient get up and down.
• Modify or cushion sharp corners on furniture, cabinets, and vanities.
• Make chair seats 20″ high. (Wood blocks or a wooden platform can be placed under large, heavy furniture to raise it to this level.)
• Have a carpenter put railings in places where a person might need extra support. (Using a carpenter can ensure that railings will bear a person’s full weight and will not give way.)

Continue reading →

Tags

neuroplasticity one-side negect online community online support pain patients psoriasis reading recovery rehab rehabilitation research returning home risk safety self-esteem sensory dysfunction sex silent stroke sleep apnea sleeping disorders smoking spasticity speech therapy stroke stroke exercise stroke help stroke in women stroke prevention stroke rehab stroke rehabilitation stroke risks stroke survivor stroke victims support symptoms therapy thrombosis TIA tips treatment vision Women women stroke work

Follow Us