Creating a Safe Environment for Those Who Have Experienced a Stroke

According to the National Stroke Association, there are several tips and tricks to making a house more accessible for those who have experienced a stroke.

Forty percent of stroke survivors suffer serious falls within a year after their strokes.

To Avoid Falls

• Clear paths to the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom
• Move electrical cords out of pathways
• Wear non-skid shoes and avoid slick surfaces
• Remove loose carpets and runners in hallways and stairwells or fasten them with non-skid tape to improve traction
• Replace thick carpeting with lower pile carpeting to make wheelchair or walker movement easier
• Install handrails for support in going up and down stairs and check to make sure they’re securely fastened to the wall
• Consider stair glides, stair lifts and platform lifts if stairs are required

Doing Laundry Will Be Less Challenging With a Few Simple Changes

• Stackable, front-loading machines may be easier to reach and take up less space
• Move laundry machines to a place where they are easily accessible
• Use easy-to-reach, labeled detergents and laundry supplies
• Have easy-to-read markings for wash settings
• Use a nearby table or cart at the right height for sorting and folding
• Use an ironing board that folds down from the wall

Special Utensils Help People With Physically-Impaired Arms and Hands at the Table

• Attachable rings which keep food from being pushed off the plate accidentally
• Flatware with built-up handles which are easier to grasp
• Rocker knives for cutting food with one hand

Making the Bedroom Safe and Comfortable

• Move/reorganize clothes and personal items to make them easier to access
• Use a nightlight and clear a path for easy access to the toilet at night
• Consider placing disposable “blue pads” underneath the sheets
• Keep a commode chair near the bed
• Install a light switch near the bed

Adjusting to Challenges in the Kitchen

• Adjust the kitchen table so it is the right height for a wheelchair or for a chair with arms that supports posture
• Mount an over-the-stove mirror to help see stovetop contents if cooking while seated
• Keep a clear space near the stove to place a hot pot or pan quickly
• If possible, use a stove with push-button controls at the front
• Install automatic shut-off controls
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
• Have oven mitts on hand

Helpful Bathroom Devices

• One-piece faucet with lever handles or long extensions, allowing water to be turned on and off with a fist or arm movement
• Cut-out or roll-under sink, which allows room for legs underneath the sink while seated
• Suction pads to hold grooming tools or bottles in place on a counter, requiring just one hand to pick up or use
• Easy-to-use water control knobs with easy-to-see settings or long-handled levers
• Non-slip flooring strips installed inside and outside of the tub
• Electric toothbrush and flip-top toothpaste tube
• Grab bars in shower or tub
• Sturdy handrails
• Raised toilet seat or toilet chair
• Adjustable or handheld showerhead
• Bathing supplies that are easy to reach and use
• Long-handled brush
• Squeeze bottles and soap pumps
• Washing mitt with pockets for soap
• Soap-on-a-rope
• Electric razor
• Tub bench

To speak with our experienced home care aides (HCAs) about how to personally create a safe environment for your loved one, contact us today.

Resource: National Stroke Association is the leading national non-profit organization devoting all of its efforts and resources to stroke. NSA provides the most up-to-date information on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and support for stroke survivors and their families. For more information on NSA contact 1-888-4-STROKE or visit Stroke.org.

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