Assistive Devices That Help in Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke patients may have a variety of symptoms depending on the location of the brain that is afflicted because different sections of the brain have distinct roles. Impaired cognitive function, behavioral changes, decreased communication and swallowing abilities, visual and sensory impairments, and decreased motor function are a few examples. This basically means that stroke patients need a lot of help with everyday living because they frequently suffer from severe and lasting symptoms. Innovation has resulted in the creation of assistive technology that is greatly enhancing stroke victims' quality of life and easing the strain on those who must provide care.

Any piece of equipment that can help stroke warriors carry out their everyday tasks more easily is considered an assistive device. They help with easing day-to-day tasks like walking, eating, bathing, or getting ready. Survivors can manage the cognitive and physical effects of a stroke that intervenes with activities of daily living with their help. They may lessen the burden of care, minimize health care expenses, and lessen disability. Here is a list of the most popular kinds of adaptive equipment for stroke warriors:

1. Mobility assistance Wheelchairs, crutches and walkers are examples of adaptive equipments that can help people with physical disabilities and limited mobility. For instance, for people with adequate upper limb strength but reduced lower limb strength, a wheelchair is the perfect choice. For people with sufficient leg strength, a crutch or a walker helps. Handrails and grab bars should be installed at certain distances to provide support for walking.

2. Bathroom assistance Toileting and bathing are two necessities of daily life. When engaging in these activities, adaptive equipment like toilet seat extensions, toilet seat frames, anti slip rubber mats, shower seats, tap turners, transfer bath bench and tub benches can offer stability and support, reducing the chance of trips or falls. Long-handled brushes and sponges help clean body portions that need to be bent and stretched. In order to facilitate body washing, therapists could also suggest installing handheld showerheads or grab bars to hold while standing. Also, the following rules should be followed in the restroom:

One should be able to easily enter the bathroom with a wheelchair or walker through a spacious doorframe.
The restroom should have enough room for one to move about comfortably in a wheelchair or walker.
No shaky carpets or other items on the floor should be kept as it could cause one to trip and fall.

3. Cooking assistance Meal preparation, eating food or washing dishes ability may be hampered by stroke survivors' loss of fine motor coordination.

Using built-up handles is one of the most popular techniques to make adaptable cutlery for easy gripping.
Forks with bendable foam handles may be hung around the wrist to maintain a strong grip and preferred by those with less hand movement.
To make dining easier, there are also bowls, plates, and cups that can be universally adjusted.
Adhesives placed under the utensils to avoid their falling.
Electric kettle that turns off by itself to avoid manual intervention is essential.
A transfer trolley is needed for food or any heavy object to move from one place to another is another requirement.

4. Grooming assistance Getting dressed everyday and preparing for the day is crucial for everyone. For stroke survivors, one can utilise magnetic buttons for shirts or trousers, sock-aids and pant hooks to make it easier to put on socks, shoes or pants as they reduce the need to stoop when dressing. Additionally, following tips can be followed for day-to-day tasks:

Soak nails in warm water before cutting. Soaking nails in water softens the nails to be easily clipped.
Using a tooth dispenser instead of squeezing the toothpaste and long handled toothbrushes for comfortable gripping.
Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes.
A universal cuff or long handled comb can ease in combing hair.
Electric shaver instead of a manual shaver, as it reduces the chance of getting cut.

5. Memory assistance Some people may lose track of time after a stroke, find it difficult to retrace their steps, or even undergo memory loss. Labels, checklists, sticky notes, keeping reminders or alarms are examples of assistive aids that can be used to help manage memory issues following a stroke. Labelling bathroom cabinets, kitchen cabinets and bedroom drawers, for instance, will make it easier to find objects.

6. Recreational activities assistance Returning to the activities you used to like before a stroke can be difficult and often depressing, but there are a number of assistive gadgets that can help one resume oneâ€™s favorite pastimes. For instance:

Automatic card shufflers
Cardholders
Garden hopper
Claw clip to pick up the golf ball
Fishing rod with a holder

7. Technology & Communication After a stroke, using technology might be difficult because it frequently calls for strong fine motor skills.

Gestures or writing messages to communicate.
Message boards: These could include images, drawings, letters, words, sentences, and/or object-representing symbols. By pointing at a particular symbol, these devices make it easier for people to understand oneâ€™s demands.
To assist with the usage of a computer more effectively, an adaptable keyboard can be used.
Voice typing or a recording device, such as the one in tablets or smartphones, is extremely useful.
Sticky keys can be activated for people who have difficulty using more than one hand at a time.
An on-screen keyboard can be used which does not need both the hands to work.

Know more about: Top Physical Therapy Exercises for Stroke Patient Recovery