How to Do Exercises for a Stroke Victim

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By Peggysue
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Helping Hands

Exercise should be tailored to the stroke patient's physical condition and can include aerobic, strength, flexibility, and coordination and balance activities. Every patient's recovery time may differ. They should try to walk at least 50 feet a day and do some very easy exercises. If you have a stroke victim and want to do everything you can to help them you may want to try some of the exercises below.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Warm Water For Soaking Hands
Jig Saw Puzzles
Lego's
Paper & Pencil
Newspaper
Deck of Cards
Nylon Stocking
Small Ball

Step 1

Hand and finger exercises you can do at home with them. First have them sit at a table and soak their hands in warm water. This will loosen their fingers, hands and wrist before doing some exercises. Some good exercises to have them do are; simple Jig Saw Puzzles, Lego's, or give them a pencil and paper and have them write their name over and over again. Any exercise you can think of doing with their hands will help.
Step 2

Exercises for the arm and shoulder will help the person also. Have them sit at a table and put a ball in one hand and have them stretch their arm all the way to the right, keeping the arm straight have them go in a half circle to the left then back again. Do the same with the other hand. They may not be able to do this all the way at first, but given time and patience they may surprise you. Over time they will be able to raise their arms themselves, as they will increase their range of motion.
Step 3

Shrugging ones shoulders up and down in a repetitive motion will strengthen the shoulder muscles. Or have them pretend they are sleep walking by having them put their hands straight out in front of them and then bring them back, repeating the movement as much as they can. Tie one foot of a pair of nylon stockings to something in front of them like a table. Have it far enough away that they can pull on it with some tension. Again, have them repeat this as many times as they can.
Step 4

Wheelchair

Exercises for their legs can be done even sitting in a wheel chair. Have them lift their legs up a few inches and down. Have them try kicking their leg, one at a time, out in front of them. Encourage them to do as many as they can. Move their wheelchair facing a wall with a very secure rail. Put their feet, toes to the wall, lock their wheel chair and have them grab the handrail in front of them. Let them try to pull themselves to a standing position with you by their side to help them. Eventually their arms will get stronger and stronger. Don't let them give up. Have them keep trying this.
Step 5

Deck of Cards

After a stroke usually their short-term memory can fail. The degree of short-term memory loss depends on the stroke of each individual. But they can improve their memory after a stroke by doing exercise like; crossword puzzles, or they can read the newspaper and then you give them a quiz on it. Take a deck of cards and see how many they can remember starting with just three cards. Whatever you can think of to do to help bring back their memory will help. Remember that old adage, use it or lose it?