Help righty stroke victim regain mobility on left side!

March 3, 2008 6:04 PM

STROKE filter: Need items to purchase/exercises to help right-handed stroke victim regain mobility on left side, please!

A very close person to me had an early stroke in her 50s. She is right handed, it affected her left side. Things like wii, arts and crafts, etc. have been recommended.

What can I buy for her that truly can make a difference that is between $0-$1000? Anything from a knitting needle to a wii, to whatever, I don't care what you suggest if you believe in it, I love this woman and want her to get better.

What are some exercises that I can suggest?

What can I do?

Those with experience, I'd really appreciate your stories, both of success and failure. This is rather new to me and I'm very sad.

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (2 answers total)

Sorry to hear about this.

For $1000? A few appointments with a rehab physical therapist would be my recommendation. He or she can provide a list of exercises and ideas, after determining what your friend's biggest needs are (fine motor, proximal muscle weakness, distal muscle weakness). Will likely take into consideration what activities your friend does the most or are the hardest for her--showering, dressing, other activities.

And patience and support for your friend. Invaluable.
posted by gramcracker at 7:15 PM on March 3, 2008

Find a good physical therapist who is experienced in stroke rehab, and get your friend appointments with them. They should be doing this or should have done this already -- how long ago did they have the stroke? What kind of therapy have they had already? The degree of return of function after a stroke is influenced a lot by early therapy, the earlier the better.

Best of luck to your friend. You are doing the right thing, providing as much support as you can.
posted by jennyjenny at 1:02 PM on March 5, 2008