Managing life at home is an important part of stroke recovery. Whether your “home” is a house, apartment, assisted living facility or retirement home, you still want some independence in your everyday activities. Stroke affects each survivor differently. To live well after stroke, you may need to make some changes in your home and daily routine. A few simple changes can help you keep up your energy level for therapy and the activities you enjoy.
Staying Safe and Connected
Write out emergency phone numbers in large print on index cards and keep them in handy locations all over your home.
Arrange for people to check in with you regularly.
Accept help with household chores such as cleaning, meals and errands. Allow family and friends to drive you places.
Allow loved ones to support your recovery goals by going to therapy with you, helping with exercises, and playing cards or doing puzzles together.
Encourage your friends and family to visit or call when they can.
Plan outings with your friends when you are ready. They will be eager to see you and to celebrate your recovery.
Getting Around Safely
Forty percent (40%) of stroke survivors suffer serious falls within a year after their strokes. The following tips may help you avoid falling in your home:
Move extra furniture out of the way, either to corners or another room.
Clear paths to the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
Move electrical cords out of pathways.
Wear non-skid shoes and avoid slick surfaces.
Remove loose carpets and runners in hallways and stairwells or fasten them with non-skid tape to improve traction.
Replace thick carpeting with lower pile carpeting to make wheelchair or walker movement easier.
Install handrails for support in going up and down stairs. Check to make sure they’re securely fastened to the wall.
Consider stair glides, stair lifts and platform lifts if you need to use the stairs many times during the day.
Source: National Stroke Association
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