Home modifications – why are they so important for stroke patients ?
Even a minor stroke may be life-changing, and many stroke survivors have one disability or another that may last for a long time, or forever.
While healthcare institutions are equipped to deal with people who have disabilities, most homes are not. Hence transition from a hospital to a home setting needs to be carefully planned for. This requires home modifications. Some ideas for same are set out below.
Evaluation
Generally done by a therapist, the focus is on the survivor’s overall condition and mobility. Factors to be considered include weakness, paralysis, pain, numbness, balance problems, difficulty with coordinating movement, memory loss or memory deficits, fatigue, difficulty with thinking, and bladder or bowel dysfunction.
Other aspects that have a bearing include :
– Financial resources
– Assistance available
– Kind of therapy required
– Treatment plan established, if any
– Issues with mobility/ self-care
Some Tips you may find useful:
Kitchen
– Use baskets and pull-out shelves
– Use lazy susan
– Small wheeled cart for transporting groceries etc.
– Large cutting board
– Open Shelves
– Lowering cooktop
– Replacing stove with microwave
– Move food items to lower shelves for storage
Bathroom
– Swing clear hinges for more room for a walker or wheelchair to pass
– Seat elevator for toilet seat
– Single lever faucets
– Toilet rail bars and grab bars
– Tub transfer bench for bath tubs
– Showerhoses with flexible tubes/stands
– Non- slip bath mats
– Raised Toilet Seats or Beside Commodes
– Soap Dispensaries
– Shower chairs
Bedroom
– Adjust bed height – use risers or remove casters/ use a thinner mattress as needed
– Closet rack with cloth hangers instead of drawers
– Install bed rails on bed
General
-Doorknobs extenders to turn doorknobs easily
– Night lights
– Portable ramp for wheelchair
– Rug Grippers
– Clear Walkways
– Locks: Getting rid of doorknobs with a lock
– Get a portable ramp( In case of stroke patients with wheelchair)
– Cord covers
Add in your comments here, or join any of our Groups as under for ongoing conversations !
Join other Stroke Survivors, Caregivers and equipment/service providers for help, encouragement , knowledge sharing and most importantly – hope – via:
** WhatsApp/Telegram Global Stroke Support Groups : https://strokesupport.in/add/
ALL other means to connect with us, including Social Media Groups and Channels on Telegram, LinkedIn, Facebook ( in many local Indian Languages) , Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube ; as well as means of Volunteering, giving Feedback, sharing your inputs etc. may all be found at :
https://strokesupport.in/connect/
Please DO have a look and join in wherever convenient as well as share.
Thank you VERY MUCH !