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Carers'
Corner |
Self-Care
for Stroke Client
How
does stroke affect people
The
effects of a stroke on patients differ depending on the part of the brain
injured, the severity of the injury, and the person's general health.
People who survive a stroke may have different levels of physical, cognitive
and speech impairment, which can affect their daily lives.
Regain independence
Stroke
clients have to learn to cope with these disabilities so as to improve
their quality of life. Occupational therapist will help stroke clients
to achieve their optimal personal level of functioning and independence,
through training in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), use of assistive
devices, and home assessment, etc.
Tips for Daily Living
Basic
ADL comprises feeding, grooming, dressing, toileting, and bathing, etc.
I.
ADL & Assistive Devices
1.
Feeding
| Aim |
Remarks |
| To
avoid choking |
-
Observe
the client's ability during feeding
-
Proper positioning for feeding: sit upright with the head tilted
forwards, do not lie down or tilt the head backwards
-
Selection
of food to facilitate swallowing: avoid food which is too dry,
too slippery, too large, or sticky.
-
Feeding
aids such as food guard and non-slip mats may be helpful.
|
| To
facilitate feeding |
2.Grooming
| Aim |
Remarks |
|
|
To
facilitate grooming
|
-
Learn
special techniques, e.g. Wringing a towel with one-handed technique
(Fig.1)
-
Use
grooming aids, e.g. suction brush, looped towel (Fig.2)
|
Fig.1
Fig.2
|
3.Dressing
| Aim |
Remarks |
| To
facilitate dressing |
-
Learn
techniques of putting on or taking off clothes easily, e.g.
when putting on, place the affected limb into the garment first.
-
Wear simple and loose fitting garments with minimum fastenings,
e.g. trousers with elastic band, footwear with Velcro or elastic
shoe-laces.
-
Use
dressing aids & make adaptations to clothing, e.g. using
large buttons or Velcro instead of buttons.
|
4.
Toileting
| Aim |
Remarks |
| To
facilitate toileting |
-
Learn
special techniques and procedures to transfer to and from a
toilet e.g. the normal limbs of the patient who uses wheel chair
should be placed near the toilet so as to aid transfer.
-
Selection
of aids for easier and safer toileting, e.g. grab rails, commode,
urinal, etc
|
| To
prevent fall |
5.
Bathing
| Aim |
Remarks |
|
| To
facilitate bathing |
-
Increase
awareness to safety and prevention of falls.
-
Use bathing aids, e.g. bath-board, shower chair, long handled
sponges, etc. Learn how to use bathing aids properly, e.g. transfers
in & out of the bath-tub with a bath-board (Fig.3).
|
Fig.3
|
| To
prevent fall |
II.
Home Assessment
Occupational
therapists provide home assessment service for stroke clients to ensure
the home is safe and to advise on appropriate modifications and use of
assistive devices. Home modifications depend on client's need, e.g. installation
of handrails and ramp, and widening of passage. (For enquiries, please
consult medical professionals.)
Related topics
Stroke
Caring
Stroke Patients
Stroke
(3): Applying Physiotherapy principles in general care
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