A stroke can turn life upside down in an instant. As a result, if you or a loved one is facing the journey of long-term stroke recovery, adapting your living space is crucial for safety, comfort, and independence.
Today we will guide you through some practical steps that can help you make your home a more supportive environment for long term stroke recovery. Our goal is to give you the right advice and tools to make your home a more supportive environment for healing and rehabilitation.
Let’s jump in.
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Assessing Your Needs
Creating a Safe Environment for Long Term Stroke Recovery
Enhancing Accessibility for Long Term Stroke Recovery
Ongoing Adjustments and Support
Assessing Your Needs
Before making any changes, it’s essential to understand the challenges that may arise after a stroke. However, these can vary significantly depending on the type and severity of the stroke.
A few things to consider are:
- Mobility: Has the stroke affected walking, balance, or the use of arms and hands?
- Cognition: Are there difficulties with memory, thinking, or communication?
- Vision: Are there any visual impairments?
- Self-Care: Is assistance required for bathing, dressing, or eating?
A thorough assessment by a healthcare professional, such as an occupational therapist, can identify specific needs and provide tailored recommendations for home modifications.
Creating a Safe Environment for Long Term Stroke Recovery
Creating a safe environment means understanding the challenges you may face with long term stroke recovery and modifying your home to make it more comfortable. Let’s take a look at some of the modifications that you can make to create a safe environment for long term stroke recovery.
Removing Hazards
The first step is to eliminate potential dangers and make it easier to navigate the home. This means removing hazards which can include things like:
- Floors: Remove trip hazards like throw rugs, loose carpets, and electrical cords. Cable covers can be mounted to the wall to remove loose cords. Ensure adequate lighting throughout the house. Clear clutter in the home.
- Stairs: Install handrails on both sides of staircases. Consider stairlifts or ramps if climbing stairs is difficult. Stairs present a hazard so be sure to ask your physical therapist to help you evaluate the use of stairs in your home with your condition.
- Bathrooms: Add non-slip adhesive tread in the shower or tub (high quality outdoor stair tread material is best) and install grab bars near the toilet and in the bathing area.
- Furniture: Rearrange furniture to create clear pathways and ensure enough space for assistive devices like walkers or wheelchairs.
- Decluttering: It is more important than ever to remove clutter from the home which can create trip hazards and also confusion with distracting stimuli in your environment.
While the degree of each of these hazards will vary based on you or your loved ones restrictions, each of these provide a starting point for what to consider.
Adapting the Kitchen
The kitchen in particular can present several unique challenges after a stroke. When considering modifications to the kitchen for long term stroke recovery, some helpful modifications may include:
- Accessibility: Organize frequently used items within easy reach. Store heavier items on lower shelves.
- Consider open shelving: Avoid the step of opening a cupboard door and have frequently used items on open shelves for one step access.
- Appliances: Choose appliances with easy-to-use controls. Consider adaptive utensils and aids for cooking and eating. Electric soap dispensers allow you to soap up with one hand.
- Seating: Provide a comfortable and stable chair with arms for meal preparation and dining.
Bedroom Modifications
The bedroom should be a haven for rest and recovery. Here are a few things to consider when recovering from a stroke at home for long term success:
- Bed Height: Adjust the bed height to make getting in and out easier. Consider a hospital bed if necessary.
- Simplify the Closet: It is easier to reach for hanging clothes than to use drawers for most stroke survivors.
- Accessibility: Ensure clear pathways around the bed and an easy reach to nightstands and light switches.
- Communication: Place a phone or intercom or electronic wireless call button within reach to call for assistance easily.
Enhancing Accessibility for Long Term Stroke Recovery
Beyond basic safety, there are several other modifications to consider that can promote greater independence as well as improved quality of life. Let’s take a look at some of the best options for increasing accessibility in the home for long term stroke recovery.
Doorways and Hallways
Navigating through the home should be as seamless as possible to promote accessibility in the home. When deciding to optimize your doors and hallways here are a few considerations to make.
Widen Doorways
Standard doorways can be a tight squeeze for wheelchairs and walkers. Consider widening doorways to 30-32 inches to allow for easy passage. This may involve removing door frames and some wall construction, so consult a contractor for professional assistance.
Pocket doors, which slide into the wall, can also be a space-saving alternative.
Remove Thresholds
Those small bumps at the bottom of doorways, called thresholds, can be tripping hazards. Remove them entirely or level them with the floor to create a smooth transition between rooms. This is especially important for individuals with mobility challenges or those using walkers or wheelchairs.
Bathroom Accessibility
The bathroom provides challenges for people recovering from a stroke. You can prioritize safety and easy use with some simple modifications that include:
- Walk-in Shower: Replacing a traditional bathtub with a walk-in shower eliminates the need to step over a high ledge, significantly reducing the risk of falls. A seat provides a place to rest during showering, and a handheld showerhead offers greater flexibility. Ensure the shower floor has a non-slip tread and install grab bars for additional support. Alternatively, when remodeling a tub is not an option, it is less expensive to add a tub bench that extends over the tub edge for the stroke survivor to sit first and then swing their legs into the tub area before showering seated.
- Toilet Modifications: A raised toilet seat adds height to the toilet, making it easier to sit down and stand up. When space allows, a commode chair can be placed over the toilet, providing armrests and back support.
Assistive Devices
Finally, in addition to modifications, there are a wide range of assistive devices can help individuals regain independence and participate in daily activities. Let’s take a look at a few.
Mobility Aids
Depending on the level of mobility impairment, various aids can assist with ambulation. Walkers provide stability and support, while canes offer balance assistance. Wheelchairs, manual or powered, may be necessary for those with limited walking ability. Scooters offer greater range and independence for individuals who can navigate them safely.
Adaptive Equipment
There are a wide range of specialized tools that make everyday tasks easier. Adaptive utensils with modified handles can ease eating and rocker knives can facilitate food prep. Dressing aids, such as button hooks, zipper pulls, sock aids, long shoe horns, velcro or slip on shoes, and more help with getting dressed. Bathroom equipment like long-handled sponges and reachers can aid with bathing and overall independence in self care.
Communication Aids
If a stroke has affected speech or language, communication aids can bridge the gap. Picture boards with common images and phrases can help express basic needs. Communication apps on tablets or smartphones offer more advanced options for generating speech or writing messages. Speech therapy apps and devices can aid in rehabilitation and improve communication skills.
While assistive devices are not necessarily a solution for long term stroke recovery, they can provide much needed confidence and independence as you continue to go through stroke rehabilitation.
Ongoing Adjustments and Support
Recovery from a stroke is an ongoing process. It’s important to remain flexible and adapt the home environment as needs change.
- Regular Reviews: Periodically reassess the home for potential improvements or adjustments.
- Professional Support: Consult with occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists and other healthcare professionals for ongoing guidance and support.
- Support Groups: Connect with stroke support groups for emotional support, practical advice, and shared experiences.
By taking a proactive approach to home modification and creating a supportive environment, you can significantly improve the quality of life and promote long-term stroke recovery. Remember, the goal is to foster independence, safety, and well-being throughout the journey.
