Adapting the Home After a Stroke

A stroke can be very debilitating. Often times after a stroke the stroke survivor as well as their family are nervous to be home alone, or not in the hospital because they fear that something could happen to them. For example, many including the stroke survivor as well as the family fear a stroke might happen again and they will not be able to deal with or handle it. For some stroke survivors going home is a scary thought because they are Oftentimes the caregiver may not be prepared to face the responsibility of caring for the stroke survivor, and simply feels overwhelmed at the idea. As you can see there are many concerns for stroke survivors and their families as they head home. So, how can you adapt the home after a stroke so that you can handle the effects? The following are some common effects of stroke and what you can do to counteract them, and make the home a good place to be, both for the stroke survivor and their family.

Memory Loss: This is a change that many families may not notice at first, which is why it is smart to adapt your home to dealing with it before it happens. Often times the stroke survivor may simply act more anxious or cautious. They often need lots of reminders, and many struggle with numbers and calculating. So to adapt your home to deal with this common effect of stroke, you will need to keep things in the same place so that the stroke survivor does not get frustrated if they are unable to find something. You will want to start a routine, and always do things in the same sequence. You will want to be sure to tell the stroke survivor in advance anything that is going to be happening, or where you may be going, etc.

Behavior: Behavior changes are often a result of frustration from other changes, such as memory loss. To minimize behavior changes, and make life easier for the stroke survivor,
try to always have them in a structured and ordered environment. Adapt your home by becoming more conscious of the stroke survivors reasons behind behaviors, and provide outlets.

Depression: Depression is common among people who have had a stroke. It is not something to trifle about as for many it is utterly overwhelming. It effects the spirit and confidence of everyone involved, not just the survivor, but the family and friends as well. Adapt your home for the possibility of depression by knowing what it means to the stroke survivor. Many times they will refuse or neglect to take medications. They may not try to recover, and be ornery with those they love. So, do not be offended, and do not let the irratablity get you down. Just work towards keeping social contacts in place for the stroke survivor, and always encourage activities and have opportunities to participate a variety activities, physical, mental, and spiritual.

Neglect: One way to adapt your home after a stroke is to recognize that for some stroke survivors, the effect will be that they neglect the side of their world that corresponds with what side of their brain was injured by the stroke. What this means to you is that you have to gently remind them of that side of their world, and help them not to neglect it. For example, a stroke survivor with right-sided neglect may not eat food on the right side of the plate. So, for those helping to cope with the stroke, this means either helping them move their head to see the food, or turning the plate around so they will finish their meal.
Communication Problems: this is one side effect of stroke that is often difficult to adapt to or prepare for. So, if a stroke causes damage to the language center in the brain, the results will vary, some can no longer read, write, speak, or understand, others may only have a speech impediment. Because the degree and difficulty of communication problems vary with each person, it is best to adapt to this problem with some professional help.

There are other effects of stroke that may cause you to have to adapt your home to meet these needs. For example, many find simple activities are now difficult or impossible. The best way to deal with this is to install adaptive devices and techniques have been designed especially for stroke survivors. These products are made specifically to help stroke survivors retain their independence and function safely and easily.

To adapt your bathroom for stroke, look for devices including: grab bars, a raised toilet seat, a tub bench, a hand-held shower head, no-slip pads, a long-handled brush, a washing mitt with pockets for soap, soap-on-a-rope, an electric toothbrush and an electric razor. All of these items means that the stroke victim retains some of their independence without extreme difficulty.

The best way for adapting the home after a stroke is to look at the effects the stroke had, and try to make things as back to normal as possible by addressing each problem. Look for ways to help your stroke survivor be independent, and recovery will be faster, depression will be less, and your overall adjustment back to life will be better.