Stroke Aids to Make Life Easier

Stroke aids can help stroke survivors who have trouble walking, balancing, or performing certain activities of daily living. A wide variety of aids are now available, many of which can be purchased online, for example those through:

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Stroke Aids for Mobility

• Cane - Many people who have had strokes use a cane when walking. For people with balancing problems, special canes with three or four "feet" are available.
• Walker - A walker provides more support than a cane. Several designs are available for people who can only use one hand and for different problems with walking or balance.
• Ankle-foot orthotic devices (braces) - Braces help a person to walk by keeping the ankle and foot in the correct position and providing support for the knee.
• Wheelchair - Some people will need a wheelchair. Wheelchairs come in many different designs. They can be customized to fit the user's needs and abilities.
• Mobility scooters - Limited leg strength and a lack of endurance can make going to malls, conventions, and large outdoor events nearly impossible. An electric scooter is a stroke aid with which stroke survivors can enjoy the freedom to navigate tight corners and cruise up to 15 miles round trip at a top speed of 4 miles per hour.

Bathroom Aids

Stroke aids in bathroom include:

• Raised toilet sea - used to assist a person who has difficulty getting up or down on a toilet.
• Commode aid - a device that acts as an elevated toilet seat when used with a splash guard, or as a commode when used with a pail.
• Toilet frame - a free-standing unit that fits over the toilet and provides supports on either side for ease in getting up and down.
• Grab bars for tub and shower - properly installed wall-mounted safety bars that hold a person's weight.
• Safety mat and strips - rough vinyl strips that stick to the bottom of the tub and shower to prevent slipping.
• Bathtub safety rails - support for getting in and out of the tub.

Bedroom Aids

Stroke aids in bedroom may include:

• Alternating pressure mattress - reduces pressure on skin tissue.
• Egg-carton pad - a foam mattress pad shaped like the bottom of an egg carton that reduces pressure and improves air circulation.
• Portable commode chair - for ease of toileting at the bedside.
• Over-the-bed table - provides a surface for eating, reading, writing, and game playing.
• Mechanical or electric lift chair - for help getting up from a chair
  urinal and bed pan - for toileting in the bed.

Kitchen Aids

• An over-the-stove mirror can be used to reflect the contents inside of pots and pans on the stovetop so that someone in a seated position can see despite the height of the stove.
• Create a roll-under stove by removing cupboards or moving the oven so the stove can be accessed from a wheelchair or other chair.
• A fire extinguisher should be available within easy reach.

Communication aids

These range from small computers to homemade communication boards. The stroke survivor, family, and rehabilitation program staff should decide together what special equipment is needed. Program staff can help in making the best choices. Medicare or health insurance will often help pay for the equipment.

Vehicle Aids

After a stroke, typically, you need to prove that you are able to drive capably and competently to be able to drive. In most countries, a stroke will mean that you lose your license until you are able to pass some sort of return-to-driving test.

Independence is an issue for most stroke patients. If someone has the mental capacity to drive, regaining their driver's license can greatly increase their independence. This assists by improving morale. There are a number of different modficications that can be made to a car to assist a disabled driver. These include:

• Multifunction spinner knobs to facilitate steering with one hand
• Push-pull hand controls to facilitate acceleration and braking with the hand
• Adjustments to the steering to make it easier/lighter
• Extensions to the gear lever and handbrake.

In our case, we used a spinner knob. This makes steering easier and includes indicator buttons so that the indicators can be operated with the same hand as is using the spinner knob.

Your occupational therapist is the appropriate person to discuss the options for driving and sitting a license test. They will be across the licensing laws in your locale, as well as know the relevant parties who need to be involved.