Stroke is a leading cause of death and adult disability worldwide. The sudden onset of a stroke can leave a family urgently in need of guidance and support in the best ways to care for their loved one who has suffered the stroke.

You can never really be prepared for a stroke and the difficulties it presents, but you can make a home safer and more comfortable for a person who is recovering after a stroke. Here are a few hints and tips for making a house more accessible for a stroke victim, courtesy of the National Stroke Association:

Avoid Falls: Clear pathways to rooms and move electrical cords out of the way. Remove loose carpets and runners in hallways and stairwells. Encourage the use of non-skid shoes, avoid slick surfaces, and securely fasten handrails to walls for support on the stairs.

Safe Bedroom: Install a light switch near the bed as well as a nightlight or two for the passageway to the bathroom. It may also be helpful to keep a commode near the bed or place disposable pads underneath the sheets. Moving or reorganizing clothes and personal items to make them easily accessible will also greatly assist in helping a person who has suffered a stroke maintain more independence.

Kitchen Adjustments: Adjust the kitchen table so it is the right height for a wheelchair or for a chair with arms that supports posture. Additionally, mount an over-the-stove mirror to help see stovetop contents when cooking while seated and keep a clear space near the stove to place a hot pot or pan, as well as keep oven mitts close by. Consider using special utensils designed to help with physically-impaired arms and hands at the table, such as flatware with built-up handles and rocker knives.

Bathroom Supplies: Bathing supplies that are easily accessible and easy to use such as long-handled brushes, squeeze bottles, soap pumps, soap-on-a-rope and a hand-held showerhead will increase independence when bathing. Grab bars and/or a bench in the shower or tub and non-slip flooring strips installed inside and outside of the tub are excellent safety precautionary devices. Additionally, for those with hand grasping difficulties, an electric toothbrush and razor can be especially useful.

When dealing with care at home after a stroke, coping with the disease and the life changes it brings can be challenging. Home care services such as Freedom Home Care offers may be able to help lead a family through this difficult time. Services include providing meals, medication reminders, monitoring care and home safety suggestions, physical and other therapies, providing medical equipment, and more.

For more information on preparing for stroke care or for more information on private duty care, please contact Freedom Home Care in Dothan, Alabama at 334-803-8078 or Opelika, Alabama at 334-745-7308. Freedom Home Care also has offices in Columbus, Georgia and Montgomery, Alabama.