Stroke

Rehabilitation, including Occupational Therapy, has been shown to help people make a better recovery after a stroke. As a result of your stroke, you may well have weakness down one side of your body, have difficulty with your memory, struggle to understand how to use every day items, feel fatigued, have reduced confidence in your abilities and as a result can start to feel isolated and low in mood.

Mr B had a stroke during COVID/ 2020. He returned home reliant on carers for all aspects of his personal care, and domestic ADLs. He was unable to walk or get out of his bed or armchair without help and use of equipment and had minimal movement in his left hand and arm. He was frustrated by his limitations, but very motivated for rehabilitation and to regain some independence.

Initially we worked on personal care and his ability to manage his daily showering and dressing routine, looking at new ways to manage the tasks, as well as the provision of small equipment aids. We looked at his ability to move around in his bed, climb up and down stairs, and his general mobility and transfers within the home. We also explored his ability to make himself breakfast and light snacks, and started to access the local community.

He is now able to manage all his personal care so no longer needs carers to help with this. He does his shopping, cooking, drives and has been able to return to travelling. We continue to work on improving his arm and hand function and this is him achieving his goal of being able to use a golf club so that he can go to crazy golf with his grandsons. The smile on his face says it all.

He is such an inspiration and proves that the rehab journey doesn’t stop.

“OT is a mixture of frustration and success! The practice and support I get from Susie has made a tremendous difference to my life and I always look forward to her visits. After my stroke I could barely move my left arm, but now I can use it to take part in so many everyday activities including setting the table, preparing meals, turning on the TV and just simple functional things. I still get frustrated, but I know I need to keep working on it” Mr B, Leighton Buzzard.