Stroke Rehab: Fun Summer Projects

You have been discharged from the hospital and completed your out-patient post-stroke therapy.

Now what?

Although summer brings clear sidewalks and warm weather, you may not have enough endurance to go for walks. The heat may be unbearable where you live, and if this is the case, it is much better to stay indoors.

Here are some activities stroke heroes may want to try:

• Plant a garden in a small window box. Spread newspaper on a table. Make sure the container has adequate drainage, and add a few rocks or Styrofoam packing pellets to the bottom of the pot. Add planting soil and your favorite annual. Place the light-weight planter box in a bracket outside your window. 

• Try working an easy large-print crossword puzzle.

• Invite your family or neighbors to your home for an informal gathering and meal. Request that everyone bring their favorite dish with copies of the recipe, in large print, to share with the group.

• Try reading a short article from a newspaper or magazine. If you are experiencing visual or comprehension difficulties, draw a red line in the margin you are having problems seeing, hold the article in your unaffected visual field and go back to the red line when reading. After you have finished reading a paragraph, explain the content. This will help build comprehension abilities. 
  

• If you were an avid knitter before the stroke, try knitting a simple project using a large circular needle to help prevent dropped stitches.

• Join a community group or a social group at your church.

• Enroll in a Community Education class.

• Assist with meal preparation by setting the table and/or preparing a fresh garden salad. Your church or synagogue cookbook may contain easy to prepare recipes.

• Get back into your favorite activity or hobby. There are adaptive techniques available for practically all activities. Check with your therapy department for a referral to your community resources, like the Courage Center.

• Try the "ancient art" of letter writing. Your far-away-family will be delighted to receive just a few positive words written by you.

• Remember to practice your therapy exercises!

All or any of these activities will keep your brain active and your spirits high. So, go ahead and "try" one or two items from the list. You may be surprised at what you can do when you are motivated and willing to take a chance at your own recovery.

For more activities, you may be able to accomplish at home post-stroke pick up a copy of the book After a Stroke: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier.

For more stroke stories:

Stroke Recovery: "When Will I Get Better?"

My Stroke Anniversary: Sixteen Years of Survival

"Wiihabilitation": A New Method of Stroke Rehab