What can I buy DH? (Stroke related)

[bloodywhitecat]

DH had a stroke two weeks ago and is still in hospital, he is bored rigid. As a result of the stroke he can open his phone but not type messages. He has no use of his right hand side, is blind on that side, has cognitive problems, can't use his headphones to listen to music (and I am not sure he would be able to navigate a play list etc). I am unsure if he can read as he can't speak at the moment

I am only allowed to visit for an hour a day, the rest of the time he is bored and lonely.

That sounds like a terrible situation .

Could you do an audible subscription and leave a book on to play after your visit (not sure if he's in his own room or a busy ward where that won't be so well received)?

Hopefully someone will have some other suggestions

What's the problem with headphones? If it's that he can't put them on himself, I'd think either you or a nurse could do that for him? Audiobooks, podcasts or Netflix (which will keep playing episodes) would be options then.

Is he right handed?
Is his left side impacted too or can he used his left hand/arm?

www.alzproducts.co.uk/simple-one-button-retro-am-fm-radio-analogue
Something like this maybe?

puzzlemaniac.co.uk/products/memory-maze
Or this?

I'm so sorry to hear this. You might find it helpful to speak with his speech & language therapist or occupational therapist to see if they have any suggestions of what might be accessible to him. He may be having trouble understanding lots of spoken language so audio books may be frustrating.

Good idea to speak to his therapists for suggestions.

If he can open a phone would he be able to turn book pages? If so, you could make a photo album of family, friends, home etc so he has something familiar to look at perhaps?

@MrsPsmalls

www.alzproducts.co.uk/simple-one-button-retro-am-fm-radio-analogue Something like this maybe?

Thank you! That might just do the job.

He is in a busy 6 bedded bay, the staff are rushed off their feet and they don't seem to have time for things like call bells much less headphones.

@Littlerainbowmouse I hadn't thought of that, he would struggle to follow lots of spoken language, I will try to catch his SaLT this week but getting through to the ward on the phone is a nightmare so I hope to catch her one afternoon this week.

@girlmom21 He is right handed, his left seems to be unaffected at the moment.

@DoctorDonna20

Good idea to speak to his therapists for suggestions.

If he can open a phone would he be able to turn book pages? If so, you could make a photo album of family, friends, home etc so he has something familiar to look at perhaps?

He has some photobooks, I have even written short scripts on each page to say who is who but no-one seems to take the time to sit with him (which is one of the reasons I am desperate to get him home).

Does he have a tablet? If you can get him a laptop cushion he could at least scroll through the news or do some online puzzles if he's up to that?

A cushion is a good idea thank you! He has an old iPad now but, because he wasn't a tablet/laptop user before the stroke he seems to struggle with it. But a cushion he could prop his phone up on might allow him easier use of it.

You could try some magazines about topics he's interested in? Shorter articles will be easier to read and understand than whole books and if the words are a problem then at least the pictures offer some interest and stimulation.

Not something you can buy, but ask the OT/ SALT if they have a complimentary therapist in their team. Palliative care may have one as well. They can spend time with your husband, helping him with relaxation techniques, reflexology and light massage. They'll know what is appropriate or not for him too.

If you can't catch them on the ward, drop them an email and let them know when you'll be there. If you can get their surname, their email will usually be firstname.lastname@hospitaldomain (eg [email protected]).