“How long will it take for me to recover?”
“Will I make a full recovery?”
If you or your loved one has suffered a stroke, once the initial shock has subsided you’ll want answers to these big questions. While your physician is going to be your best personal source for a recovery plan, our experts have created this handbook to help support the stroke rehab portion of your recovery. In addition, we also offer many more stroke recovery guides, and we highly encourage you to use them as a resource (and bookmark them for later!).
Below, we break down the most common types of stroke rehab and suggestions for therapy and mobility devices to help you recover and adapt to mobility limitations during recovery.
Although everyone who suffers a stroke will be affected in a variety of ways and will require specialized treatment plans customized to their specific needs, there are some wonderful supportive rehab products to help speed the stroke recovery process while they also mitigate pain, improve circulation, optimize mobility, and help stroke patients to regain the fullest function possible. Often used in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, much of this specialized equipment can also be used at home to keep the therapy going for the best patient outcomes.
Rehabilitation after a stroke often includes strengthening hand muscles and improving dexterity for daily tasks. Supportive orthotic devices can help position joints correctly and provide resistance to promote muscle re-education.
North Coast Multipurpose Orthotic: A versatile hand and wrist orthotic that supports proper joint alignment while allowing therapeutic movement. This device assists in functional exercises such as grasping, releasing, and controlled finger motion to build strength, reduce contracture risk, and improve fine motor skills during daily activities. Great for home use or as part of a structured rehab plan.
Wrist, Hand, and Finger Orthosis for Immobilization, and Joint Realignment - Progress Ultra-Ortho by North Coast
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Electrotherapy is often used in stroke recovery to reduce muscle spasms, alleviate pain, improve circulation, and assist in neuromuscular re-education. Wearable and wireless stimulators support convenient therapy at home or on the go.
The HiDow Wireless 4-in-1 EMS & TENS Unit combines electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in a wireless design. Helps manage pain, reduce spasms, and improve muscle activation without restricting movement.
Ideal for extended use during daily activities.
TENS EMS Unit | Wireless 4-9 - HiDow
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We also have the Wireless TENS and EMS Unit – iReliev Wearable Therapy System: It is a comfortable, wearable system that delivers EMS and TENS therapy to assist with muscle re-education and pain management. Its wearable format allows patients to continue therapy while remaining active.
Also, the JStim Joint Stimulation System is a targeted electrical stimulation unit that applies focused currents to specific muscle groups or joints. Supports improved muscle recruitment and mobility during rehabilitation exercises.
Jstim Joint Stimulation System by PMT
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Impaired lower-extremity mechanics, including foot drop and equinovarus positioning, are common after stroke. Orthotic supports help stabilize the ankle and improve gait mechanics.
The Norco Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint: Designed to maintain dorsiflexion and reduce calf and plantar fascia tightness during sleep. This positioning helps improve morning mobility and can reduce risk of contracture, which supports safer walking and rehabilitation progress.
.jpg&newwidth=365&maxheight=200 "Norco Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint")
Norco Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint
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Rehabilitating shoulder, arm, and elbow function often requires weight support to allow repetition of movement without fatigue or strain.
The Elevating MultiLink Arm Mobile Arm Support by JAECO is an adjustable arm support that compensates for gravity to help patients perform reaching and functional movements with less effort. Ideal for therapy exercises that promote strength, coordination, and range of motion in the upper limb.
Elevating MultiLink Arm Mobile Arm Support by JAECO
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Prolonged sitting or lying can lead to discomfort or skin pressure issues, which may interfere with rehabilitation participation.
The Hilo Adjustable Bed is an electric bed that allows customization of head and foot position for optimal comfort and pressure relief. Adjustable height and positioning can assist caregivers with transfers and improve comfort during prolonged therapy, rest, or recovery.
Electric Adjustable Bed - Hi-Lo SL by Flex-A-Bed
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When people experience a stroke, it can be mild or massive, with varying levels of physical involvement. For post-stroke patients who have paralysis on one side of the body or other topics that now affect movement and mobility, there are many supportive products to help with all the daily living activities we’re used to performing every day. As your stroke recovery progresses it’s important to remain safe while you keep active and engaged with your daily life. These daily living aids do just that!
Even under the best of circumstances, the bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house because the majority of slips and falls occur there. Practicing bathroom safety and using specialized bathing devices are crucial for people recovering from a stroke. Grab bars are a must to provide a secure grip, as are safety mats inside and outside the tub or shower to reduce the risk of slipping.
Shower benches and shower chairs enable stroke recoverers to experience safer bathing, reducing the risk of falling.
Bathing & Toileting Products
Department
Shower Chairs
Category
Grab Bars
Category
Bath Safety Mats
Category
Bending down and rising up from a standard toilet may be quite challenging for people recovering from a stroke, and creates an unsafe situation inherent with falling risks. Several different types of toileting aids can help, including raised toilet seats that add extra height, and toilet safety frames that surround the toilet to add support. Commodes, portable toilets that aren’t connected to plumbing, can be placed by the bedside and come in multiple configurations to provide a secure, supportive toileting experience that’s easier and closer to use.
Shower commode chairs combine the convenience of a commode seat, the functionality of a shower seat, and the transportation ease of a wheelchair all into one simplified device. Negating the need to purchase multiple pieces of assistive equipment, 3-in-1 shower commode chairs help those recovering from a stroke to regain independence and confidence while toileting and bathing.
UltraCommode Shower Commode Chair by Platinum Health
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Dressing aids comprise a wide variety of products all geared to support getting dressed or undressed independently. Post-stroke patients will often need these assistive devices as they recover, and before more functional manual dexterity gains are realized. Long-handled shoe horns, dressing sticks, sock-donning aids, and leg lifters are just some examples, along with devices that are specially designed for one-handed use, such as a one-handed button aid.
Good Grips Long Handle Shoe Horn
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The Original AFO Assist | AFO Cradle - Made in the USA!
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As we previously mentioned, insomnia is a common problem for stroke recoverers, as muscle spasms and tightness can make it hard to relax. It can also be quite challenging for people recovering from a stroke to mobilize to and from the bed, along with changing positions while in bed because of physical impairments caused by the stroke. An adjustable bed is remarkably beneficial, as it optimizes user safety and comfort for a better night’s sleep. If you do not need the entire bed system, products like the Easy Out Bed Hi-Lo Adjustable Bed Frame offer a frame only.
Bed wedges help with positioning and comfortable support, like these Avana Slant Bed Wedge Memory Foam Pillows. Assisting with reducing night-time disturbances like acid reflux, snoring, sinus pressure, and more, these moderate-density urethane foam mattress elevators come in a range of styles and sizes to suit personal needs.
Bed assist rails and bed mobility devices are also designed in a wide assortment of shapes and styles to provide users assistance getting in and out of bed and changing positions in bed, with some formats designed for sit-to-stand assistance from a sofa or chair. They give stroke recoverers strong and dependable support, enhancing safety. Halo Safety Wings and Halo Safety Rings are popular transfer bar options post-stroke because they offer a perfect handle that allows you to grab them in many ways. This is especially ideal for users who have lost some mobility in their hands. Learn more about other exceptional related products on Caregiver University: Homecare Hospital Beds And Mattresses.
Electric Adjustable Bed - Hi-Lo SL by Flex-A-Bed
View ProductElectric Adjustable Bed - Hi-Lo SL by Flex-A-Bed
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Halo Safety Rings for Beds by Halo Mobility Solutions
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Assistive mobility devices like rollators, transport chairs, and specially designed wheelchairs can help people recovering from a stroke to move around their world more easily and safely, whether it’s used around the house or for traveling to visit friends or run errands. Rollators are lightweight and easy to push, providing great support for uncertain ambulation.
The Comodita Avanti is a sophisticated, patented, lightweight rolling walker designed for stroke patients. Its innovative design allows for effortless operation with one or two hands, ensuring utmost convenience and support. Instead of the traditional two handles, the Avanti has a long bar that can be pushed easily, and an easy-to-squeeze brake bar sitting right under it.
We offer plenty of guides on how to choose the best mobility device. Check out Caregiver University: Canes, Rollators, Scooters, and Walkers for more information.
The Stroke Recovery process can be difficult for anyone and oftentimes requires assistance from a healthcare professional. However, there are plenty of other places you can find support as well, like our Caregiver University platform, where you can find a bunch of helpful Stroke Recovery articles just like this one.
From transport chairs to orthoses to transfer benches, we’ve hand-selected a list of products we’ve found to be helpful on the path to recovery. These products do everything from easing tightness and spasms in the muscles to promoting proper posture and balance, targeting common symptoms, and alleviating the pain related to stroke rehabilitation. Our hope is that these products offer you some relief on your journey, and help pave the way to a restored quality of living.
Thanks for reading!
Benjamin K. Mattox, DrPH, PA-C
Orthopedic surgery physician assistant, doctor of public health, and owner of a public health consulting firm. With over a decade of Active Duty Navy Experience, Deployments with the Navy SEALS, and as a Professor for Purdue University - Dr. Mattox is a highly qualified and experienced clinician with a firm understanding of orthotic needs, rehabilitation, home access needs, gait therapy, and veteran-specific health needs.
