Nothing marks a successful recovery from a stroke like regaining your independence but adapting your home may be necessary to do just this. Some changes may require major alterations and others might be slight tweaks but each change is made to fit your condition.
The needed modifications will always vary however these general tips can guide you when seeking professional assistance.
Sleeping
There are plenty of aids designed to help you access your bed and rest comfortably. You may raise or lower the bed to adjust it to the most convenient height. You can also invest in an electric or medical bed that can automatically adjust the angle that you lay at making it easier to get in and out of it. At night, in case you are unable to reach the bathroom on time, you can place a commode chair next to your bed and this will help avoid accidents.
Accessing clothes & dressing
Ensure you have easy access to your clothes by changing the type of handle and store your frequently used clothes in the most accessible drawers. When aiming to dress, you ought to do this using the simplest methods possible. You can do this by getting clothes that avoid any unnecessary movements like buttons or buckles and buying clothes that just pull over your body or slip on your feet.
Bathing
Bathrooms are always full of potential hazards so this may need much altering to suit your needs. Installing grab rails on the walls and a bathmat will help prevent you slipping over on wet floors and support mobility when bathing. To access soap, use squeeze bottles and soap pumps which can be used with only one hand. Furthermore, you can invest in a bathing seat that lets you sit and bathe rather than laying down making it easier to wash unaided and access the bath.
Going to the toilet
Accessing the toilet can also be difficult so install grab bars and raise the toilet seat to use easily.
Preparing meals
When cooking, using the microwave could be safer than using the oven itself. Getting pre-sliced food also reduces the risks when cutting food, especially if you can’t use your hands. When storing food, ensure you can easily access it at all times.
Dining
It may take time to regain all of your motor skills and this can make dining seem challenging. Look to get cutlery with large and rubberized handles to give you better grip. Swivel forks, spoons and cuff utensils also exist to easily control food. For drinking, you can use a cup with a lid and straw.
Seek advice from your occupational therapist to determine the needed modifications to your home. With your home adapted to support a more independent lifestyle, your morale and daily life will improve tenfold in no time at all.
Easy life = Healthy mind
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This document does not constitute the practice of medical consultation nor medical advice. Always seek the advice of your treating physician and/or specialist. If you suspect that you are experiencing symptoms of stroke, call for an ambulance immediately.
