How to balance independence with safety? When walking is unstable...

Hi Bea,

Thank you for your enquiry. We are sorry to hear about your relative’s stroke. It can be challenging to balance safety and independence in these situations, and stressful for carers who may see the risk differently to the stroke survivor.

If your relative is aware of the OT recommendations and continues to choose to do this independently (and capable of making this decision) we would suggest a few things, some of which you may have already put in place or considered.

• Minimise the risks you have control over. This might include your relative informing you of when they go out alone, calling before and after, carrying a mobile phone, etc. A personal alarm is a good option around the home but most of the models on the market won’t work far beyond the home.
• See if you relative would accept more social support. For example, someone to take her out in the taxi for outings.
• Talk to your relative about having this as one of the rehab goals to keep working on in therapy. Can the OT and physio keep practising getting in and out of car, walking, general strength and conditioning exercises and review falls risk (footwear, etc)?
• Seek support yourself. This might be calling us for a chat, Carers Australia, a psychologist, or friends and family.

If you would like to discuss further or require some additional support please do call us on StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

Best wishes,

Simone (StrokeLine)