I Hate Eating While Speech Therapist for Stroke Watches

Dear Joyce,

I'm so happy that the rehabilitation hospital stay had ended. Aside from all the other things after my stroke, the one event I disliked the most was the speech therapist watching me eat several meals. The doctor was afraid that I couldn't swallow my food. I got nervous and anxious when she stared at me. 

I couldn't tell her to leave for two reasons: I couldn't talk for 5 weeks after the stroke and she watched me per the doctor's orders. I'm enjoying being home, without the "watcher."

Sincerely,

Happy at Home

Dear Happy,

I can appreciate you don't want to be observed as your eating every morsel of food. But there's a very good reason fot it. 

The term "aspiration" is when something enters your airway or lungs by accident. Aspiration can happen when you have trouble swallowing normally, and this event can cause serious health problems, such as pneumonia or choking. So the SLT (Speech Language Therapist) is the best one to evaluate. 

I'm so happy for you, now that you're home, to begin your life again. It can never be exactly like the old life before your stroke, but try and make it a good life. Like my own life, my place on earth is better than before. 

Brought to you by Strokefocus and one of its associations, Northwest Brain Network

After Stroke, Therapists and Aides Are Too Busy to Train on Toileting

Dear Joyce,

 At my rehab hospital, OTs evaluated how stroke survivors get on and off a toilet with the help of a grab bar. Aides dealt with all other toileting skills. Aides have large caseloads, so to stay on schedule and they do everything for their clients. Toileting after a stroke survivor goes home can be distressing when you learn all safety issues were not addressed.

Signed,

Have Questions about Toilet Safety

Dear Toilet  Safety Person,

Right you are! Aides have a big caseload and so do Occupational Therapists (OT). So you have to contribute your own two cents!

There are basic things one should know and have when going to or getting off the toilet:

1. Wear sweatpants or other type of elastic pants so you don't have to struggle with going to the toilet or getting off and safely back to your wheelchair or your place of origin. 

2. Have a hand rail or grab bar on the strong side if the toilet is too low to accomodate you.

3. A commode (without the bucket, of course) over the toilet is a way to make the seat higher without replacing the toilet. 

4. The bathroom ranks as one of the top places for falls. So get yourself Life Alert or something like it. Over the years, I slipped and fell off the toilet twice. Life Alert to the rescue! It costs 50 bucks or so, but everybody with a brain injury should have one.

As the therapists say, safety is their first concern, and falling isn't a picnic either! 

Here the photo right after one of the falls involving the toilet:

Right after

Two months later

Difference, huh? A shout-out to Arnica gel for making my banged up face and neck heal quickly! 

Brought to you by Strokefocus and one of its associations, Northwest Brain Network

Mother Has Difficulty Helping Father With Stroke

One of our members from South Africa submitted the following:

Dear Joyce,

My dad who is now 71 years old had a stroke and heart bypass last year. He is fully mobile and in good health. He is just extremely difficult and makes life very difficult for my mom who is taking care of him. Any guidance is greatly appreciated. 

Signed,

On Behalf of Mother

Dear On Behalf,

Was your father always this way, or did he get difficult after his stroke and heart bypass? If it was before those health complications, you or your mother might suggest he go see someone he respects like a psychologist or clergy or someone in social work as guidance. Or have your mother go and see someone, too, if that helps her.

If the problem started after his health complications, give him time to get accustomed to the activities he has trouble doing or can't do anymore. 

It took me several years to realize my limitations. For example, I have trouble walking a distance with the cane so I can't zip in and out like I used to. It was stressful, though it took time to adjust. Give your father time to adjust, too. If he doesn't adjust soon and still makes taking care of him difficult for your mother, use the psychologist, clergy, or social worker as your guides. 

Again, your mother can go to see those people, too, to discover if she's doing something that is annoying your father, like lack of patience or screaming at him.

Best wishes to both of them. 

Brought to you by Strokefocus and one of its associations, Northwest Brain Network