Below is a collection of explanatory videos that offer ideas on how to make our day to day life easier following a stroke or a TIA.
Or scroll down to see our many 'WOO-TIPS', our own ideas on making life a little easier following a stroke or TIA.
Credit to: American Heart Association
Credit to: American Heart Association
Credit to: Injury Recovery Coaching
Credit to: WCVB Channel 5 Boston
Credit to: American Heart Association
Credit to: Post Stroke
Credit to: Injury Recovery Coaching.
Credit to: John Hopkins Medicine
WHERE TO FIND SUITABLE AIDS
There are all sorts of devices and aids available from your local Occupational Therapy Department, these can include hoists, walkers, chairs, bathing aids and many more, always talk to the local O/T.
There are many items for sale Online, or through specialist Disability Providers, and on television adverts, but these tend to be excessively over-priced.
You can normally find what you need from Amazon, at a range of prices.
But do not forget to look in your local Poundshop and B&Ms, especially search the Household, tools, toys and gardening sections, They often have 'Grabbers', travel pillows, jar openers, items you can use to assist you.
See some of the items below.
Use Riser cubes to increase height of Chairs, Beds or tables.
These can also be used to increase height of a Fridge, Freezer, Tumble Dryer, or standalone oven making them more accessible.
Purchase of a roll of Non-Slip rubberised matting, this can be cut to desired size and shape, useful to place under items you do not wish to slip, such as Cutting boards, Trays, Writing pads, Floor Mats etc.
Cost around £4.00 Sometimes in poundshop for £1.
A large Non-Slip shower mat is a MUST, especially on shiny waterproof 'Wet Room' floors.
A similar Non-Slip mat can be used inside the shower, some of these come with soft bristles, or in a loofah style which can make cleaning unreachable feet a much easier task.
Ensure they have a good grip on the rear to stop them moving.
Stroke patients can find it difficult to continuously hold their head up. A Travel-Pillow can offer comfortable support not only in the car or when travelling, but when sitting down watching television.
They are available cheap in the Pound Shop, so you buy several and have them scattered about, keep one in the car, one in the bath, one beside the bed. Cost £1.00 upwards
Cars can be particularly hard to enter following a stroke, and even just as we get older. These devices can be carried in the door pocket or your bag, and they simply insert into the door catch bracket on the door pillar. They attach very securely and can handle any weight, providing better leverage for getting in and out of a car. This one even has an emergency seat belt cutter built in.
Watch the Video
Playdoh is not just for kids!
Playdoh can be a useful aid to help with improving hand dexterity through moulding.
It can also be made into simulated food shapes, and used as a practice tool for cutting or improving dexterity in using cutlery.
For those with weakened grip or Arthritis, soft foam handles that fit over cutlery are a good idea.
Or for a cheaper solution purchase a length of narrow 6mm pipe-lagging from the DIY store, this can also be used on a pen to assist writing, or as extra grip on thin door or cupboard handles.
Cost around £11.00 for kit, £3-£5 for lagging
Holding small narrow things such as a teaspoon, and then trying to stir in a circle can be hard following a stroke or TIA, a battery stirrer can make life so much easier.
Simple ball-bearing mazes can help with the improvement of concentration and dexterity.
Cost around £8.00 for pk of 4
Following a stroke, it may be necessary to re-learn how to do even very simple everyday tasks.
Find a large brightly coloured pillow or cushion, sew on a Zipper, a strap with buckles, toggles, and various shape and sized buttons, strips of Velcro, Shoelaces, popper-buttons, clips, pegs, (see pic for example ideas).
Attach the two ends of a zip to the edge of the cushion to enable practicing putting a zip together, and three thicker pieces of rope or hair that can be used to plait.
There are many Colouring books available for Adults.
These can help reduce stress, promote dexterity and aid concentration.
With a pack of Felt-Pens, its a simple but effective tool.
Cost around £3.00
Limb weakness can make it hard and even dangerous to pour from a kettle.
A catering style 'Airpot' is much easier to manage, and keeps drinks hot for 5-6 hours.
Cost varies on make from £24.00 - £40.00
Trying to gather up breadcrumbs or spilt sugar from a worktop can be a tremendously hard task if you have weakness in your hand, and traditional vacuum cleaners can be too heavy or cumbersome to use.
A rechargeable hand-held vacuum maybe much more manageable. Cost around £20 upwards;
Trying to grip and applying pressure to plates or saucepans is difficult when you have weakness in the hand.
A rechargeable waterproof cleaning brush can help retain independence and help ease discomfort.
Cost around £14.00 upwards
Fitting battery operated or rechargeable Motion Detector Lights around the house or flat, especially in the hallway, bathroom, bedroom and kitchen, can help prevent falls when trying to find light switches in the dark. Also fit one to the inside of the front door, in the event of a fire, or a mains power failure, they will continue to operate, showing the exit route. Remember to check battery charge frequently.
It is common following a stroke or TIA to have problems gripping items securely, small objects, cups or glasses, saucepan handles etc. Cycling or Gardening gloves designed for extra grip can be a useful aid.
Some gloves are available that can withstand the blade of a knife, which could prevent injury from a slipping blade or sudden spasm whilst attempting to cut food.
They can also improve grip when used with Walking aids such as sticks or Zimmer frames.
Cost around £5 - £10
This website is full of information regarding Strokes and TIA's, and of how to get support.
A site full of information and videos relating to stroke survivors, including relationships.
Bringing together Wales’ stroke experts to use evidence based care, research and innovation to help prevent and reduce the debilitating impact of strokes.
The NHS site for diagnosis, information on treatment and prevention.
Many of us are now taught First-Aid as a requirement for work, and it is law to have a qualified first-aider in any office, factory or workspace that has more than five persons.
But as parents we should learn first-aid in case something happens to our children at home, on way to and from school or at the park.
Basic and advanced courses are cheap and regularly run by both the St. John Ambulance and the Red Cross. (see buttons below)
Everyone should learn basic first-aid, it could save a life !
The new telephone number for NHS Direct Wales and Shropdoc GP out of hours services.
