A person has a stroke every 40 seconds and strokes are the leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke happens when the brain cannot get the blood or oxygen it needs. For survivors, what once was routine becomes … not so routine anymore.
“A stroke can make everyday activities challenging. These challenges may be due to a number of stroke-related conditions, such as limb weakness, numbness or paralysis, communication challenges, vision challenges and one-side neglect challenges.” – American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
View Daily Activities Tips – Tips for Daily Living – Daily Activities
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) provides a network of preventive and recovery resources for individuals and caregivers through their website. One area specifically is daily living for survivors. Below is some of those recommended tips and products and a few others from stroke survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals in an easy daily living guide. The adaptive daily living aids are ideal for patients who have limited strength or control in one hand.
Nail Care
Two specific nail trimming examples on the AHA/ASA website show how, through trial and error, people find solutions. Below are one of those options and an alternative that has been well received by stroke survivors.
Video: https://youtu.be/YwrKoSMGaUM
Traditional Methods
The top video under Daily Activities Tips, shows a John maneuvering to clipping his nails as the clipper slides around and loses control after one clip. He mentions and demonstrates the challenge is when he uses his “weaker” hand.
Trimmer for Independence
“Special nail clippers designed to be used with only one hand” -ASA/AHA
Stroke Connection Newsletter offering tips and suggesting a one-handed clipper.
In 2020, ClipDifferent was included in the textbook Stroke Rehabilitation: A Function-Based Approach authored by Glen Gillian & Dawn Nilsen and published by Elsevier “researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society.”
Description: Learn to confidently manage the growing number of stroke rehabilitation clients with Gillen’s Stroke Rehabilitation: A Function-Based Approach, 5th Edition. Using a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, this unique text remains the only comprehensive, evidence-based stroke rehabilitation resource for occupational therapists. This new fifth edition has been extensively updated to include the research, trends, and best practices in the field. As with previous editions, this comprehensive reference uses an application-based method that integrates background medical information, samples of functionally based evaluations, and current treatment techniques and intervention strategies.
Bathing Tips
The shower or bath can be extremely slippery when wet so use caution while getting in and out. The below tips help balance and stabilize in a bath. More personal hygiene safety tips here. An occupational therapist can assist with training in personal care strategies that make it safer and easier in the bathroom.
Bath Shower Grab Bars: https://www.amazon.com/Bath-Shower-Grab-Bars/b?node=344743011
Grab Bars/Handrails
Grab bars give anchor points to hold onto while moving in/out or around the shower to tub. It is often times better to have these permanently attached to the all so the risk of them slipping is eliminated.
Get It Here: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=hand+held+shower+head&t=brave&iax=shopping&ia=shopping
Hand-help Shower Head
An adjustable shower head or a hand held shower allows the stream of water to be raised or lowered. This is especially useful when using a bath chair or bench, as a person who is seated is much lower than one who is standing in the shower.
Get It Here: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=bath+bench&t=brave&iar=shopping&iax=shopping&ia=shopping
Bath Bench/Shower Seat
Use a bath chair to make showering and bathing easier.
Shoes
Two specific nail trimming examples on the AHA/ASA website show how, through trial and error, people find solutions.
Check it out: https://replacealace.com/
Velcro Laces
Shoe Lace Toggle
The cord lock is a clever inventions and an easy way to replace knots. These tiny gizmo works with existing laces and costs very little.
https://www.nike.com/flyease
Slip-On or Adaptive Shoes
Nike FlyEase creates shoes that are quick and easy to get into, and more hands-free. The easy-entry designs expand access and unlock benefits for all athletes*. From pinnacle FlyEase innovations to the wide selection of easy on/off footwear, you can do more of what matters most — play.
Dressing
Generally, use your unaffected arm to dress the affected side first. To undress, take the garment off the unaffected side, then remove it from the affected side. Here are a few tips to get you started:
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- Choose loose-fitting clothes and silky fabrics. They’re easier to slip on and off than polyester or flannel.
- Lay out your clothes before dressing.
- Dress while sitting. It’s easiest.
Button/Zipper Hook
Designed to hook around small, medium, and large round buttons or zippers, these make it easy to pull buttons through dresses, shirts, collars, and more.
https://magnaready.com
Magnetic Buttons
A magnetically infused closure system that eases dressing for those with limited mobility or dexterity.
Bra Buddy
This unique bra dressing aid allows you to easily put on a bra using just one hand. Using the accessory makes putting on a bra easier if you struggle with fastening fiddly bra straps. Assists you by holding one end of the bra while you pull the other end of the strap around the body to fasten the hooks and eyes.
Kitchen
Two specific nail trimming examples on the AHA/ASA website show how, through trial and error, people find solutions.
https://lssproducts.com/easy-touch-can-opener
Easy Touch Can Opener
https://onehandcanshop.com
One Hand CanDo Cutting Board
The One Hand CanDo Cutting Board was created by a stroke survivor who loves to cook. Designed to facilitate a myriad of food preparation techniques using one hand. The inability to hold a food ingredient to prepare it, i.e. by slicing, chopping, shredding, mincing, etc, is no longer an issue when the one-handed cook has the patent pending CanDo Cutting Board in their kitchen tool arsenal.
https://jaropener.com
EZ Off Jar Opener
The EZ Off jar opener will open tough lids effortlessly. It will grab hold of any lid whether it’s factory sealed, child proof, tamper proof or just stuck from what’s inside the jar. A simple twist and The EZ Off Jar Opener will deliver every time.
This list will be updated periotocially. If you have other products that have helped you, please let us know. If you have any question, we’re available at help@clipdifferent.com or (612) 444-1339.
About ClipDifferent
ClipDifferent, GBC. is a Minnesota-based family business believing everyone can have a superior nail care experience leaving no one out regardless of life circumstances. Since the launch of the ClipDifferent Pro in 2018 using the MicroTrim™ technology, these smartly-designed adaptive nail clippers have helped countless people independently trim their fingernails safely and effortlessly at the touch of a button.