Depression After Stroke
| May 22, 2013 | Posted by Ronni under Stroke |
Life after stroke can be difficult for everyone touched, but especially for the victim of stroke. Depression is very common for someone who is rehabilitating from stroke, and even more commonly it goes untreated.
While caring for someone who has suffered a stroke, it’s important to pay attention to behavior and mood changes. Here are a few things to look out for:
- Ongoing sad, anxious or empty feelings
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering details or making decisions
- Overeating or loss of appetite
- Thoughts of death and suicide or suicide attempts
- Feeling tired all the time
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyable
If your loved one has experience multiple strokes or mini-strokes that has set back rehabilitation, they may be more apt to have depression. If you think that your loved one may be depressed, talk to them first before speaking with a physician. Sometimes, feeling a hand of support can help someone move away from depression. If their mood persists, speak to their physician.
Relieve Discomfort Caused By Carpal Tunnel
| May 21, 2013 | Pain Management |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj2h_LyCpLI Carpal tunnel syndrom is caused by pressure on the median nerve and several tendons that run through the forearm and the wrist. It can cause tingling, pain, numbness or weakness in the fingers or hand. Massaging the nerves and tendons in the wrist and forearm will release some of the pressure and relieve the discomfort. It is important to focus on the middle of the wrist and forearm, which is where the nerves and… Read More
Clear Speech and Cognition with ColorCards
| May 17, 2013 | Top Products |
When speech or cognition is a challenge for a loved one, it can also be a challenge for the caregiver. Not understanding what the loved one needs, wants, feels or knows can put physical and emotion strain on a care relationship. Whether navigating the slow road through rehabilitation from a stroke or traumatic brain injury or repetitiously training and teaching a loved one with a mental disability, ColorCards may be the beginning of stress-free communication. ColorCards are… Read More
4 Products to Assist With Arthritis
| May 15, 2013 | Aging, Arthritis |
Living with arthritis can make daily tasks that once seemed so simple, such as getting dressed, extremely difficult and time consuming. Here at Easierliving we strive to make those day-to-day tasks easier for you, while making you feel more comfortable doing them. Here are some top products for reducing difficulty throughout the day, thus reducing pain. The Door Handle/Knob Extender- This product makes opening doors less of a struggle for those having trouble gripping… Read More
Stay In The Know: Reduce Risk Of Recurrent Stroke
| May 14, 2013 | Stroke |
Each year approximately 795,000 Americans suffer from a stroke– of those, approximately 185,000 are recurrent. Within five years of a stroke, the risk of having another can increase to more than 40%. 24% of women and 42% of men who have had a stroke will experience another one within their lifetime. Recurrent strokes often have a higher rate of disability and death because brain injuries obtained by the first stroke cause the brain to be… Read More
Dining After Stroke: EZ Mealtime Starter Pak
| May 10, 2013 | Top Products |
As we age or become ill, mealtime independence is a challenge. Conditions like arthritis weaken the ability to grip utensils, and muscle tremors make it difficult to pick up food plates. When faced with these afflictions, the EZ Mealtime Starter Pak is just the help you need. We bundled together our best tools to conquer mealtime frustrations with this Starter Pak. Each is equipped with everything you need for one table setting. Now you can dine at… Read More
The Sudden Caregiver
| May 9, 2013 | Caregiving |
Becoming a caregiver is not always a smooth, slow transition. In fact, it rarely is. Care often is needed immediately following a sudden event like a stroke or a fall. When we find ourselves thrown into an important, unknown task or job, as caregiving is, it can be overwelming and frightening. Don’t lose hope or faith. Stay on track with your support and care by taking a breath, remembering your sanity and organizing your life.… Read More
Keep Bones Strong As You Age!
| May 7, 2013 | Posted by Ronni under Aging |
As we grow older we commonly lose bone density. This can cause osteoporosis, where bones are so thin that they break easily.
You can work against this and as Kathleen Zelman, the director of nutrition for WebMD, says, It’s never too late to start.” Keep these things in mind and always consult a doctor before a change in diet, supplements or exercise.
- Vitamins! Calcium and Vitamin D work together to build bone tissue. You’ll need three servings of dairy a day to keep up with the necessary amounts. Check for foods with Vitamin D especially like milk and yogurt.
- “Whole” Foods! Diary alone can’t fight the battle against bone loss. Adding nuts, beans, whole grains and vegetables will also give the bones an array of vitamins and nutrients.
- Exercise! Of course it helps! Weight training puts strain on muscles that are attached to bone. When you build muscle, you strengthen bone too!
Bathroom Products for After-Stroke Care
| May 3, 2013 | Posted by Ronni under Top Products |
The time after a stroke has a wide spectrum of care. Some is progressive as your loved one rehabilitates at a steady or slow rate, but others are stagnant. No matter where your loved one sits on the spectrum, you can find tools to make caring a little easier on you and your loved one. While EasierLiving has numerous products for after-stroke care, we chose two bathroom and hygiene products that may fit your needs.
The Adjustable Toilet Safety Rails can help your loved one, or you, maintain balance as they are sitting down on or getting up from the toilet. Opposed to traditional toilet risers, these rails are just arms to help support in use. They are bolted to the back of the toilet seat and can be adjust to the perfect height.
If your loved one cannot get out of bed, the Aqua Total Hygiene Gloves will help you keep them clean without cumbersome and messy wash basins. Simply put the glove on and wide the soft glove over your loved one’s skin. Economical packs are available in scented body wash, unscented body wash or scented shampoo. This is a hygienic, quick way to keep a loved one clean even if they cannot walk to the bathroom.
Is this Sleep Apnea?
| May 2, 2013 | Posted by Ronni under Sleep |
Sleep Apnea is not only sleep depriving, but extremely dangerous. People who have sleep apnea can stop breathing for up to 30 seconds at a time. This can cause a chronic loss of sleep and lack of oxygen to the brain. If you have one or more of these symptoms, talk to your physician about the possibility of Sleep Apnea and caring for it:
- Excess daytime sleepiness
- Loud snoring while sleeping
- Observed episodes of stopped breath during sleep
- Awakening abruptly with shortage of breath
- Dry mouth or a sore throat every morning
- Morning headaches
- Forgetfulness or mood changes during the day as a result of exhaustion.




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