Simple Stroke Care

07/20/2023

07/20/2023

Beautiful ❤

10/23/2022

10/23/2022

Animals, birds, people… we all understand kindness.

“This is my 95-year-old neighbor who has lived alone since his wife died of cancer a few years ago, and our chicken Hei Hei. His companion dog also recently passed away. Hei Hei gets out of the chicken yard every day to visit him and they are now buddies. He pets her and gives her treats!”

03/23/2022

Regaining Bladder and Bowel Control

Bowel and bladder retraining can be accomplished, in many instances, by following a strict schedule for elimination: after each meal take the stroke patient to the toilet or sit them on a bedside commode. In between meals try going about every 1.5-2 hours. This helps the sphincters relearn to relax on command. Wet wipes make hygiene easier for your loved one or for you. In the meantime, put the stroke patient in pull-ups with an extra pad in front (for men) to catch urine leakage, that way you might be able to change the pad only.
Improve shoulder range of motion and strength with the functional reach exercise: both hands reach up to ceiling, both hands touch behind the head, and then behind back. If this is impossible with both arms just use the strong arm even if it’s the non-dominant side. I designed this exercise to improve reach in patterns that help daily practical skills like dressing and toileting. If these suggestions don’t work, call the MD for more ideas.
Clean, dry perineal skin lowers the risk of developing a urinary tract infection, skin rashes, and skin breakdown, which can lead to pressure sores. Besides, your loved one will be much more comfortable and feel and smell better!

03/21/2022

Stroke is like a lawnmower that won’t start. You have to find creative solutions to the various challenges you face. Just like my friend and her lawnmower—you’ll get your loved one up and going! Here’s her story:

My lawnmower saga.
I wanted to mow Saturday morning but my mower wouldn’t start. I got out my manual. I went to Home Depot to get new oil and spark plugs and went to the gas station for fresh gas.
When I read how to put in the sparkplug it said I needed a sparkplug wrench.
Sunday I went to Home Depot and they were out. So I went to Walmart. I was a woman in a mission.
Got home and removed the spark plug.
But when I tried to drain the gas I couldn’t get the hose off. In all the videos they just jiggle it and it pops off. I used my pliers on the metal brackets. The hose just wouldn’t budge. So I turned my lawn mower upside down and drained the gas. Filled it up with gas. Put in the new spark plug.
Finally I checked the oil. It is on the side of the mower. But when I tried to pour in the oil I couldn’t. So I got a funnel out of my kitchen.
I just guessed at how much to pour in. I checked the oil until it was just right.
IT STARTED! Praise the Lord. I mowed my yard!

02/28/2022

Practice deep breathing to improve your health and that of your loved one.

Patient and caregiver alike can benefit from the practice of deep breathing. It raises oxygen levels for clearer thinking and muscle action; it lowers heart...

02/19/2022