Tips on showering independently with upper mobility issues
This was first posted on Facebook.
From Vicki: “Hi, my husband Neil suffered a massive stroke at 47 years old, just 2 1/2 years ago. He has, and continues to make tremendous progress. He has no functional movement in his left arm, but he walks and walks and walks some more!! Always determined to keep going. Over the last 6 months he has become totally independent in getting himself dressed in the mornings, which has taken a few months to perfect. As long as everything is set up the night before, he is right. Our (or maybe my) next challenge is for him to try and become totally independent with showering, from beginning to end. Do you have any tips or hints which may help us?” StrokeLine has given Vicki an answer, it would be fantastic if we could get hints from you too. – Thanks in advance.
Here are some answers:
A shower chair and a hand held shower would help and then put on a bath robe to dry most of the body and a small towel for the rest when sitting down! Just a thought as that's what my mother did with the same injury but to her right arm and she was right handed so a challenge. Good progress so far! Well done!
I found I could undress, shower and dress afterwards with no use of my left arm if I had plenty of time. I'd sit on a chair in the bathroom while undressing. It took me 10-15
minutes. I'd sit on a shower chair under the shower, to conserve energy as I was exhausted after undressing and my balance was off. Then dressing took another 10-15 minutes. What helped - tshirts that were a size or two too big were easier to get on and off. Forget about shirts with buttons. Silence, time and space. And hey... at least Neil doesn't have a bra to contend with. A tip for the women... A sports crop top a couple of sizes too big and don't worry too much if the tugging and yanking breaks the stitching.
Given quiet and time there is no reason at all why a person with use of only one arm and hand can't shower themselves. I did exactly that from day 2 after my stroke.
My husband had a stroke 18 months ago effecting his left side, he now showers & dresses independently apart for washing his hair. We got 2 shower chairs one in the shower one out, a loofah with a long handle (available in crazy clark type stores) handrail in the shower & a toe dryer we got from mobility matters. The best advice I can give is give him time, every week little improvements turn into big ones. Good luck with your journey.
You have received some great tips n I will have to get a toe dryer. My worst problem still is that get the temp just good for the right side n it feels as if burning the left. That maybe a concern for him too if he has sensitive left side. I have not found a solution as yet. But as my Doctors keep saying baby steps at a time
Neil keep up all great work in your recovery. Look after yourself Vicki and I believe just little words of encouragement most of all having a laugh , maybe also sewing velco onto the inside of shirts but leaving the buttons so the shirts look the same. Electric toothbrush is great for Stroke survivors. I'm nearly 28 years post Stroke I was 26 years old when I had my massive stroke....All best to you all..ps you have a beautiful family
Congratulations on the progress made already. A couple of things helped my husband, such as having a plumber set the water temperature to a lower maximum, so he couldn't scold himself. Having a stool or chair in shower in case of fatigue, a large sponge and pump action soap & shampoo containers work best, clearly marked. The bathroom should be inspected by an occupational therapist to access what aids (if any) and safety issues should be addressed. An example of this would be safety glass in shower cubicle. Everyone's different, as I'm sure you've discovered, but hope this helps a little.
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