Stroke Recovery
After experiencing a stroke, a patient will need some time to heal. Here are things
you can do to help your loved one during their recovery period.
Stroke Recovery
After experiencing a stroke, a patient will need some time to heal. Here are things
you can do to help your loved one during their recovery period.
What to Expect
After a stroke
A stroke event can affect a patient in many ways, they may struggle with one (or more)
of the following:
- Difficulty communicating
- Difficulty swallowing
- Emotional changes
- Easily fatigued or tired
- Pain/weakness
Expect that they will likely need rehabilitation services in order to regain some
pre-stroke functionality and activity. This can be achieved by working with AU Health's:
In addition, there are things you can do at home to support the rehabilitation process.
Safety Tips
You can start by figuring out ways to make the home a safe environment to begin stroke
recovery.
- Ask your loved one’s occupational and physical therapists about adaptive equipment
for mobility and activities of daily living (ADLs) to maintain safety and increase
participation in activities.
- When moving a patient, transfer toward stronger side when possible.
- When helping your loved one to get up, stand on their weaker side to protect it.
Promote visual attention
Encouraging your loved one to focus on their affected limbs can help them to reconnect
with and strengthen them. You can do this by:
- Encouraging interaction with the affected arm and leg.
- Set up recreation items on your loved one’s affected side (ie: a remote control for TV, water cup, magazines), stand on that side with them to talk
with him and encourage them to pay attention to it.
- Place safety items on the unaffected side so they are easier to find (ie: phone).
- Keep the affected arm on a pillow on their belly to make it easier for your loved
one to see it and pay attention to it, protect it from injury, and support the shoulder.
Set the Environment
After a stroke, the brain needs rest to heal itself appropriately. Here's how to limit
overstimulation:
- Avoid loud noises.
- Don't leave the television or loud/over-stimulating music on.
- Low lights are better to decrease stimulation
- Avoid harsh, direct lights when possible.
- Use curtains or blinds during the day as needed but set up a well-lit environment
during the day and darker at night to assist with orientation and sleeping.
- Speak calmly to your loved one and allow them the time to process and respond before
repeating yourself or trying to fill in the blanks.
- Limit visitors and length of visits.
- Allow for rest between activities.
- Allow time for your loved one to process instructions before repeating them.
Daily Challenges
Some daily activities may now be more challenging. Listed below are some things that
can help make these everyday tasks easier as you are recovering.
Getting dressed
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Allow extra time for your dressing routine.
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Lay out your clothes before dressing.
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Choose loose fitting clothing.
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If one arm is affected, thread that one through its sleeve first. Bring the sleeve
above the elbow before bringing the rest of the garment overhead.
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Complete lower body dressing while seated.
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If one leg is affected, thread that leg through its pant-leg first, then pull it up
over the knee. After that, thread the unaffected leg through its pant-leg.
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Undress the stronger (unaffected) arm or leg first.
The following features can help make dressing easier:
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Rings or strings added to zipper pulls
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Velcro in place of shoe laces
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Elastic waistbands
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Snaps
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Pullover or front-closure bras
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Bathroom
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A toileting schedule will be important initially to help establish a routine.
Relearning how to use the toilet is an activity that includes mobility, balance, and
safety facets, so it will be a functional and integrative building block for other
activities.
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Bathing
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When bathing and showering consider:
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Using a shower chair to reduce fall risk
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Installing grab bars
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Adding non-slip stickers or decals to shower or bathtub floors
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Drying off while seated, before stepping out of the shower
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Use warm, not hot water, when bathing
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Speech and Language
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After a stroke, you or your loved one may have difficulty talking or understanding what people are saying. General guides to help someone with this difficulty are
- Be patient
- Give plenty of time for the person to choose what to say
- Give plenty of time for the person to understand you
If you or your loved one has had a stroke and is having difficulty with language,
please make an appointment with our outpatient Speech-Language Pathology team to better assess their needs, create a communication program, and provide speech
therapy.
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Difficulties with swallowing
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If you are having a swallowing problem (dysphagia) after a stroke, it is important
for you to be evaluated by a speech-language pathologist. They will create an individualized
plan that addresses maintaining adequate nutrition/hydration and protection of your
airway.
If you or your loved one has had a stroke and is having difficulty with swallowing,
please make an appointment with our outpatient Speech-Language Pathology team to better assess your needs.
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Be Consistent
Repetition of safety cues, activities, and exercises
This will help your loved one retain information better and allow their brain to integrate
that information into tasks. Reinforcement of appropriate behaviors, movements, and
wordings will also help them learn how and when to perform tasks, interact with others
and communicate appropriately.
A structured daily schedule can help organize and plan for the day
This leads to a less chaotic environment and allows the brain to respond better to
different situations. Having a schedule in place will reinforce participation in functional
tasks throughout the day.
