July/05/2023

National Stroke Awareness Month: Home Safety after a Stroke

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National Stroke Awareness Month | Home Safety after a Stroke

Strokes occur suddenly for most people, often leaving victims and their families searching for answers and solutions without warning.

When you rush to the hospital, there’s a wave of emotions, and while you’re there you follow every direction the physician gives you. But what happens when the side effects are revealed and it’s time to come home? To help you and your loved ones, we’ve gathered some tips from the National Stroke Association as well as where to find the home safety solutions you need.

Why is Home Safety so Important?

 According to the National Stroke Association, over 795,000 people in the U.S. suffer from strokes every year. They have also noted that “40 percent of all stroke survivors suffer serious falls within a year after their stroke.” This is due to a variety of stroke symptoms, like loss of muscle control, for example.  

40 percent of all stroke survivors suffer serious falls within a year after their stroke.”

Safety Issues for Stroke Survivors

 Stroke survivors are more vulnerable to accidents inside their own homes due to the type of stroke they had, the level of injury to their brain, and their overall health. This means that many tasks an individual considered “easy” before a stroke, could prove to be very difficult during recovery. As we mentioned above, a large percentage of survivors suffer from injuries due to a fall within a year after suffering from a stroke.  

"...many tasks an individual considered “easy” before a stroke, could prove to be very difficult during recovery."

The recovery period after a stroke is so important because individuals need to learn to adapt to conditions like:

  • Weakness
  • Paralysis
  • Loss of balance & coordination
  • Pain or numbness
  • Memory loss
  • Fatigue
  • Bladder or bowel problems

How to Create a Safe Home for Recovery

Depending on the symptoms an individual experiences after a stroke, safety precautions can be taken through developing new habits or purchasing assistive technology to help with mobility.

Here are a few habits that every survivor and their family should commit to:

  • Always keep a clear path to the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen
  • Wear non-skid shoes (yes, even indoors) and avoid slick surfaces
  • Remove loose carpets or runners or secure them to the ground to improve traction
  • Use handrails for support going up and down the stairs at all times

In addition to these habits, equipment might be necessary to assist individuals who have suffered from a stroke. Equipment can help survivors maintain their independence while also ensuring a caregiver is not overstrained when assisting.

Some equipment to consider...

To get more information on solutions to keep your home safe and accessible, take a look at our different residential products designed for home safety. Don’t forget to consult your physician to get additional expert advice on how to stay safe after a stroke.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us today!

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