A stroke can change your life severely, with recovery possibly taking years or the effects lasting the rest of your life. Although you will depend on your doctor and therapists, once you get home, you need to manage your personal safety and day-to-day living with thoughtful care, and that means making every room in your house safer and more practical, to meet your needs.
1. Safety In The Bathroom
Even for able-bodied people, the bathroom can be a hazardous place. The quarters might be tight, and the slippery surfaces leave you vulnerable to accidents, making this room a priority for your safety. You may need a raised toilet seat, to make rising easier and you should probably have a lifting aid, such as handles around the seat or a nearby bar to grip as you rise.
For bathing, be sure you always have some device to grip for stability, such as a security pole. The pole will install at the floor and ceiling, leaving you a wide range of assist heights, depending on your needs. Handlebars on the tub, too, will make getting in and out much safer than not having anything to hold on to. Since the bathroom can be a dangerous place (for anyone, not just you), it's important that all safety features are in place before you're left on your own or with the company of someone who probably can't help you if you fall, such as a spouse.
2. Help Getting In And Out Of Bed
Especially since your blood pressure is lower when you sleep, your bed should be equipped to help you get up if you have to go to the bathroom during the night. Getting up, especially quickly, with lower blood pressure can be disorienting or even dangerous; thus, it's not wise to leave yourself with no assistive device on the bed. There are various types of railings that could be installed either between the mattresses or supported from the floor, and you can depend on them when you need help getting out of or into bed safely.
3. Easier Living In The Living Room
If you're having extreme difficulty rising up from a chair, you may need to look into one that automatically lifts you up. Consider a short-term rental if you don't expect to be in recovery for too long, and your budget won't allow you to splurge. You should have a cane or walker at your disposal at all times no matter where you are, but especially when there's no railing, bar or other support devices available. There are specialized canes available that fit right under the sofa, so you can have permanent assistance in place if that's your favorite spot.
Also, getting a tray on wheels, like the ones you probably saw in your stay at the hospital, will make eating, reading, and other activities safer and more accessible.
4. If You're Able To Drive
Don't forget to include safety devices in your vehicle, too, if you have the "Okay" from your doctor to drive. There are handles that can be fixed to your car door or the car's interior door frame which will make getting out far safer than relying on the steering wheel.
5. No Matter Where You Are
Because you may feel precarious in any situation until you completely recover, one of the best devices you can equip yourself with right now is a personal alarm. It's wise to have a cell phone on your person at all times, but an alarm could bring immediate help to you in a hurry, such as from a neighbor or your spouse if you fall somewhere in your home and are unable to get up on your own. These small alarms fit on keychains or necklaces and will make a loud noise that can be heard from a considerable distance.
As you heal after a stroke, you're going to need to make adjustments, both to your thinking and how you live. If your doctor determines that how you eat or live contributed to your stroke, make the improvements necessary to get you in better health and avoid another incident. Also, see that you have everything you need around the home to keep you secure as you make your way down the road to recovery.
For more information, contact a company like Lincoln Mobility.
Share5 June 2018
After thinking about various ways to improve my home, I decided that it would be awesome to make my place suitable to care for relatives who were having a hard time with their health. I started talking with my mother's nurses and doctors about how they could live with me, and within a few days, I had made some powerful changes that really improved my home. For instance, I installed a safety bar in the bathroom and anti-slip rugs throughout my home. I wanted to start a great new website that centered around creating a solid home health care plan. Check out these posts to learn more.
