Stroke Rehab and Recovery Products Blog

Transportation Products for a Stroke Survivor

While many people who have suffered a stroke may become depressed or recluse because of their limited motor abilities, one must remember that getting out of the house is one of the best things they can do to improve motor abilities. Going back out into the real-world after a stroke is the first step in dealing with certain impairments, and is a great motivator to improve motor skills. In order to get outdoors, however, the proper care must be taken for the person by using the right independent living products.


Having a versatile wheelchair is something that a stroke patient shouldn’t be without. Depending on how well the person is able to move their arms, we offer both electric scooters and manual wheelchairs. The Drive Pollywog Self Propelled Transport Wheelchair is a manual wheelchair that proves as a great mode of transportation. With the ability to have another push it -or the user push it- this wheelchair provides a comfortable way to get outdoors and excited for the day. The lightweight design of the wheelchair also provides easy transportation, so there’s no need to worry about lugging one around. For the next step in advancing one’s walking capabilities, the Dana Douglas Nexus III Rollator Walker is perfect for those who are learning the process of walking again.
 
Drive Pollywog Transport Wheelchair
If distance is a problem, the Phoenix Power Mobility Scooter will help the stroke patient move at their own ease with a ‘finger pull’ throttle and stable design. This scooter allows you to travel for up to 10 miles as well, providing you with plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors. If there’s an even further place you like to visit from your home, you can get there using the Harmar Micro Scooter Lift or Silver Star Hitchhiker Wheelchair Carrier. Both of these products securely carry scooters or wheelchairs with ease.
 
Silver Start Hitchhiker Wheelchair
Remember, the key to a good recovery is getting back into the routine you used to have before suffering the stroke. Going outside is a rewarding experience in itself, so don’t be afraid to do it! Independent living products are here to help you on your road to recovery.

February 18, 2008 Posted by strokerehab | Uncategorized | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Stroke Products for Incapacitated Persons

People from all ages and walks of life can suffer from a stroke. Chances are that if you or a loved one has suffered from one, it’s likely that movement is severely limited. Thankfully, technology has become advanced enough to help those with movement deficits overcome the limited movement ability they have. Independent living products can and will help you in your stroke recovery, just believe in your ability to recover and have confidence in the technology ActiveForever offers that’s designed to help you.

 While many people use the computer for work and school, computer activity used to be non-existent after suffering a stroke. Because the dexterity required to type is not present, the NaturalPoint SmartNav 4 Hands Free Mouse is designed to enable one to use the computer hands-free. With subtle movements of the head, one is able to control commands on the computer that are equal to using hands. Additional accessories may also enable the patient to use an on-screen keyboard and foot pedals for mouse-like clicking. By regaining independence from using the computer, the stroke survivor is also able to gain confidence, which is an integral component of recovery
NaturalPoint SmartNav 4 Hands Free Mouse
 Muscle atrophy is another common detriment for stroke survivors due to the limited ability to move. Cross-sectional area of muscle slowly deteriorates because blood flow is limited in unused extremities. The EMS 5.0 Electronic Muscle Stimulator is a machine that takes care of this problem. Being hooked up to it enables muscles to remain intact; promoting blood flow through electronic stimulation. Additionally, this machine can be used in variation so that one doesn’t become ‘overworked’ or stressed from the stimulation. The Motorized Mini Exercise Bike works in a similar manner for the legs. Without any effort on the user, the bike moves the legs of a person and promotes blood flow. 
motorized mini exercise bike

There are many other stroke blogs that discuss certain aspects of regaining motor functioning, lifestyle products, and other condition-related independent living products for the stroke patient. Come and take a look at all of the information we offer to help you make the right decision on what to get for the stroke sufferer and begin the road to recovery the right way. Feel free to discuss this subject as well, as our comments section can provide more information to stroke victims.

February 13, 2008 Posted by strokerehab | Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy | , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

Aquatic Therapy for Stroke Victims

If you’ve suffered from a stroke, you’re more than likely experiencing some kind of limited motor ability. In order to regain these abilities, you must practice using the muscles and limbs that have suffered partial paralysis, no matter how little you’re able to move them initially. Because strength is greatly limited during the initial weeks of stroke rehabilitation, aquatic therapy has become a popular way of taking the first steps to recover from a stroke. As gravity doesn’t resist your movements as much in water, your ability to initiate movement in a pool increases greatly. Independent living products are provided by ActiveForever to aid in your aquatic stroke recovery and rehabilitation process.

Start the rehabilitative process by using the Splash Aquatic Pool Lift; designed to lower a person into the pool with great ease. Keep secure in the lift with the Pal 1000 Stability Vest. Once lowered into the pool, floating can be maintained with the AQx Sports Zero Gravity Floatation Swim Suit. By using this, the stroke sufferer doesn’t have to work on both balance and movement during their initial rehabilitation. Concentrating on one thing at a time enables the brain to focus on creating new ‘routes’ to create movement and balance programs in the brain. Additionally, the suit is designed to improve posture, so rehabilitating the back is already in effect when one wears it! If one isn’t ready to try standing, the AquaTrek Wheel Chair can be used in the pool or shower, and one can be lowered into the pool using the AquaTrek Ramp.
Splash Aquatic Pool Lift
Upon submersion into the pool, move to the INCLINE Aquatic Underwater Treadmill by Aquabilt for the beginning of the aquatic therapy process. Adjust the resistance and benefit from the low-impact, circulation-promoting design of the treadmill. No matter how little the sufferer of a stroke is able to move their extremities, the most important thing to remember is that every little bit helps. And because you’re underwater, movements will become easier to perform with the treadmill track moving under your feet.
INCLINE Aquatic Underwater Treadmill by Aquabilt
For rehabilitation of the upper extremities, using any kind of resistance, no matter how light, has been proven to increase blood flow. Increased blood flow results in the ability to regain muscle and motor functioning. AquaBells Dumbbells are designed to help you start the regaining of motor functioning of the arms with the easy-to-fill design and light-moderate weight options.

February 6, 2008 Posted by strokerehab | Uncategorized | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments Yet

Stroke Safety Around Your Home

As suffering from a stroke can be debilitating, one must remember that their safety is at risk in many everyday situations around the home. Although rehabilitation will help a person eventually gain most of their motor functioning back, one has to be sure that in the mean time, they’re keeping safe and away from harm with the right independent living products around their home.

 Within the initial months of your stroke, the Invacare Mariner Narrow Rehab Shower Commode Wheelchair takes care of all of these problems; with comfortable padding, beneath-seat commode, and a water-proof design, one is sure to avoid the risks of trying to move from one place to another. If your shower is in an upstairs bathroom, the Acorn Superglide 120 Stairlift can easily lift you up or take you down the stairs without a hassle. If you don’t have enough strength to use a wheelchair, the Pride Luxury Line Victory Scooter (3 Wheel) will help you move around your home with just as much ease, and you can use one of the many bathroom aids ActiveForever has to offer.
Shower Commode Wheelchair
 Don’t let the idea of being confined to a wheelchair for a certain amount of time hamper your desire to regain your independence! The worst thing that a stroke survivor can do to themselves is become reliant on products, which impedes their potential recovery rate and time. As you consult with your doctor on how much you should try to physically take on week-by-week, be sure to use the Dana Douglas Infiniti 280 4 Wheel Rollator Walker when you’re cleared to walk, as the quality design of the walker will provide you with optimal mobility. 
Rollator Walker

One of the leading causes of an initial stroke, as well as recurring stroke, is high blood pressure. Because blood pressure is sometimes difficult to keep low, the Resperate Blood Pressure Lowering Device will help maintain a low blood pressure through breathing exercises. After finishing your exercises, maintain them throughout the day by monitoring your blood pressure with the Mark of Fitness Wristwatch Blood Pressure Monitor. ActiveForever carries a plethora of independent living products, so feel free to stop by our site, as well as look at our other blogs to find out more information on making your stroke recovery count!

February 6, 2008 Posted by strokerehab | Uncategorized | , , , , | No Comments Yet

Lifestyle Products for a Stroke Survivor

If you or a loved one has suffered from a stroke, chances are that both of your lifestyles have changed. Whether it is from an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, don’t feel that life will change forever; multiple studies have shown that stroke patients recover their motor functioning through rehabilitation. The first step in this process begins with independent living products that help one move toward their original lifestyle.

 

As stroke victims are likely to suffer from a recurring stroke, precautionary measures must be taken seriously if one desires to make a steadfast recovery. Since one of the leading causes of stroke is high blood pressure (hypertension), it’s obvious that one should engage in activity that keeps their blood pressure low. The Mark of Fitness Wristwatch Blood Pressure Monitor is a great way to discreetly remind you of what your blood pressure is without having to make trips to the doctor or clinic every day or bother those around you with a loud blood pressure machine.

 


Mark of Fitness Wristwatch Blood Pressure Monitor
Bathing is one of the first issues to address when bringing a loved one home who has suffered a stroke. ActiveForever carries products that address this problem in a practical way; we understand that transferring one into the tub can be a hard process. With the Shower Helper, transferring another person to the tub or shower is a piece of cake. Should the need arise to only wash ones’ hair, the Zero Flex Hair Wash System is a convenient way to get the job done without transferring to the tub.

 


Shower Helper
While muscles and motor functioning can become impaired during the initial months of a stroke, independent living products such as the UpEasy Power Lifting Cushion will help you regain your independence by providing you with assistance to get up from your seat. Help yourself out of bed with the Smart Rail System Bed Rail in the same manner. Look through the additional independent living products for getting dressed, such as the Enablers Zipper Button Puller and Easy-Pull Sock Aid, that will help begin a routine that will lead to a life of independence!

February 4, 2008 Posted by strokerehab | Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy | , , , , , , | No Comments Yet