A lack of oxygen to the brain or a blockage in an artery can cause a person to suffer a stroke. Increased pressure in the brain or a blood clot can cause the blockage. Bleeding in the brain causes damage quicker and is more extensive. Adaptive equipment for the person who has suffered a stroke will help him become more independent. The stroke might affect his eyesight, mobility and upper and lower body strength, the American Stroke Association reports.
Quad Canes and Walkers
Stroke sufferers who experience weakness on one side can benefit from using quad canes, the National Library of Medicine reports. Quad canes have four feet rather than one, which provides a more stable foundation and better balance. Some people require a walker to move from room to room. Walkers provide even more support than a cane, offering extra stability for the safe ambulation of a person with generalized weakness.
Wheelchairs
A wheelchair is the appropriate device for a patient with little mobility. It creates a sense of freedom as well as a safe and comfortable way to move from place to place, both in and out of the home. Wheelchairs can be designed to operate manually or they may be motorized.
Insurance often covers the cost of motorized wheelchairs, which are outfitted with controls that are operated manually by the user. Manually operated wheelchairs require someone to push them along. If able, the stroke patient may use her hands to turn the wheels, putting the wheelchair into motion. The physical capabilities of the stroke sufferer will determine if a motorized wheelchair is a more efficient choice.
Wider Doorways
Wider doorways allow for a wheelchair to ride through without bumping the patient or chair, the National Library of Medicine reports. They allow easier passage for the person in the wheelchair to get to different rooms and places. Recuperative facilities already have wider-than-normal doorways. If the doctors expect the stroke sufferer` to remain in a wheelchair for some time, the person may need to have the doorways in the home widened as well.
Wheelchair Ramp
A wheelchair ramp allows the person access to his own home or any place he wishes to enter, the National Stroke Association reports. A wheelchair ramp provides better access to the outside in case of an emergency such as a fire or a medical emergency. Getting fresh air allows the stroke patient to remain a part of the activities.
Shower Chair
Many stroke patients cannot stand for a long period in the shower. They may need to sit after a few minutes in the shower or may have a tendency to lose balance, the National Stroke Association indicates. Since the shower is a slippery environment with the potential for a fall, it becomes necessary to provide a piece of adaptive equipment. A shower chair that fits into the shower or tub helps the stroke patient feel stable on a steady surface while showering.
Safety Grab Bars
Adding safety bars in the home, especially in the bathroom, can help the person to hold on to for leverage, the National Stroke Association reports. The stroke patient may have some paralysis on one side; a safety bar makes it easier and safer for a stroke patient to stand up and stabilize himself while dressing or after using the toilet. Placing grab bars in the shower or above the bathtub can make it safer for the person to get in and out. Safety grab bars also can help the person anywhere in the home.
