Stroke Patients

Nine weeks ago, my 44 yr old uncle suffered a rare stroke. Although he cannot talk or move from the neck down, his progress so far is absolutely amazing!! He is able to wiggle his toes and fingers a litter and he can clench his fist (not all the way) and open it slightly again. The doctors tell us that one day he will be able to talk, walk, and eat again. Anyway, can any of you recommend any activities we can do with him? My cousin and I are committed to visiting him twice a week and working with him for a couple hours each visit. It's so funny because I "act" like a nurse/physical therapist. I make sure he's comfortable, wipe off his face, lotion his hands/feet and I massage/work his feet/hands. On the other hand, my cousin "acts" as his speech therapist/activities director. She gets in his face and has him say different words so we can get better at lip reading. She also thinks of activities to do with him. We are so funny, but we love being there for him and he enjoys our company. When we walked in today he just smiled. Today she took wet macaroni with us and had him close his eyes and then she put his hand in it to try to guess what it was.
Sounds like you are using your noggin. I am assuming your uncle is no longer in an acute facility. Was he transferred to a stroke rehab cebter? Or a nursing home? Have you talked with his physician, as well as the therapists working with him, for their suggestions as to what the two of you can do to help him. I am not putting you down but if he is in a stroke rehab center, he should be receiving a pretty heavy schedule of activities to help him. While you can continue to assist him with rehab techniques, he will all ready be tired, from his day time rehab.The senses need to be provoke, as well as fine and gross motion to his fingers and hands. Passive range of motion to his arms and legs is helpful. Having him pick of jacks is something that would help his finger movements and grasping. Being in a couple of different size plastic containers, having him put them into one another will help his eye hand co-ordination.Good luckGrannyRN65

if he is ambulatory kicking a ball helbs coordination, also get a small weight and have him move it in big circles on a table, this helps with left and right brain coordination.you can also get pictures of animals and write out the sound they make. have him put them together as quickley as he can

You might also read the book, "My Stroke of Insight" which will give you some good information that will help you and him as he recovers. And read to him also-newpapers, novels or anything else that may interest him.

Sorry not being rude, but what is a 'rare stroke'? Do u mean he hadn't had one b4?

Try to get PT,OT,ST.

Quote from grannyrn65Sounds like you are using your noggin. I am assuming your uncle is no longer in an acute facility. Was he transferred to a stroke rehab cebter? Or a nursing home? Have you talked with his physician, as well as the therapists working with him, for their suggestions as to what the two of you can do to help him. I am not putting you down but if he is in a stroke rehab center, he should be receiving a pretty heavy schedule of activities to help him. While you can continue to assist him with rehab techniques, he will all ready be tired, from his day time rehab.The senses need to be provoke, as well as fine and gross motion to his fingers and hands. Passive range of motion to his arms and legs is helpful. Having him pick of jacks is something that would help his finger movements and grasping. Being in a couple of different size plastic containers, having him put them into one another will help his eye hand co-ordination.Good luckGrannyRN65

Quote from carolmaccas66Sorry not being rude, but what is a 'rare stroke'? Do u mean he hadn't had one b4?

It's wonderful that your uncle has such caring family members like you. You should ask his therapists what you can do to help while he isn't in therapy. They know his condition better than any of us do. You have good intentions, but sometimes more activity is actually be detrimental to the recovery of some patients. As someone else mentioned, therapy is very hard word for patients like your uncle and they get tired very easily. He might need more rest outside of therapy as opposed to more activity so that he can be well rested and be ready to work hard during his next session. His therapists would probably be more than happy to suggest safe activities for you and your family can help out with. I'm sure he is very grateful to have you there for him and your aunt during such a difficult time.