Living with spasticity

Living with spasticity


The everyday life of a person with spasticity changes a lot and can be difficult. Some situations can only be mastered with great effort or sometimes not at all. Those affected often need support from carers or family members. Such restrictions and intimate activities, e.g. in personal hygiene, dressing or cooking, can lead to feelings of shame and even depression. In addition, depending on the degree of disability, the person can no longer work, which in turn can lead to financial difficulties or dependency.

Some limitations in everyday life are shown below:

    MobilityEating, cookingDressingHygienePostureSleeping


There are now specialized doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and self-help organizations that support patients with spasticity. Spasticity cannot be cured to date, but advice and offers of help can be accepted. The topic of spasticity is currently becoming increasingly important in research and development, which is why new therapy methods are being developed and spasticity can now be treated and alleviated effectively. This not only improves the quality of life, but also relieves the burden on those affected, their relatives and carers.


Spasticity – who can help me?

First and foremost, you should contact your GP, who will refer you to various specialists after an examination. Nevertheless, sufferers who also have spasticity can give you advice and encourage you. There are trained staff who can support you in starting a job and help you cope with everyday life.

Courses for relatives


Schlaganfallbegleitung gGmbH The company offers the following solutions: The free information platform schlaganfallbegleitung.de about stroke for those affected and their relatives. https://schlaganfallbegleitung.de/ A self-help forum https://www.schlaganfallforum.com/forum/ A digital stroke care course for relatives, which is reimbursed by most health insurance companies. https://schlaganfallbegleitung.de/onlinekurs-angehoerige A digital stroke prevention course Nutrition certified according to § 20 SGB V and therefore also reimbursable. https://schlaganfallbegleitung.de/praeventionskurs-ernaehrung

Töchter & SöhneNew online course “Caring after a stroke”The Berlin-based e-health company Töchter & Söhne is now offering caring relatives the opportunity to take part in the online care course “Caring after a stroke” on its in-house care platform www.curendo.de.https://pflege.curendo.de/


Tools


There are now a number of devices that support those affected by their limitations and help them cope better with everyday life. These aids can be used with one hand to overcome challenges independently and without the support of family members (caregivers).


Cooking and Eating

Due to the paralysis, not all tasks in the kitchen can be carried out by the patient, making it difficult to provide care. However, there are already aids that have been developed specifically for use in the kitchen.

    Plate rim elevationOne-hand lid unscrewerCutting boards with vegetable holderOne-handed boardSpecial cutlery


Personal hygiene and dressing

Important everyday activities such as getting dressed or taking care of personal hygiene can become an immense effort due to a lack of mobility, misalignment or a lack of fine motor skills. These aids are intended to make these activities easier.

    Button helpShoe hornBrushes and bath sponges


Gripping abilitiesPatients who suffer from spasticity are sometimes unable to open or close doors or reach for objects; there are instruments designed to make these activities easier.

    Gripping pliersKey holding aids


CommunicationUsing the telephone or computer can be difficult due to limited motor and communication skills. Various aids make it possible to reuse these devices and thus participate more in social life.

    Large button telephone "mouse" replacement devices


You can find further valuable information and products at Sanvita:Kitchen helpershttps://www.sanivita.de/haushalt/essen-und-trinken/kuechenhelfer.htmlPersonal carehttps://www.sanivita.de/koerperpflege.htmlGripping aidshttps://www.sanivita.de/haushalt/greifhilfen.html

Exercises for home


Various exercises can also be done at home to improve mobility or to relieve acute spasticity. Regular exercise can improve the mobility of the body and relieve spasticity and people's symptoms. It also increases awareness and trains the ability to see your own body. You should always make sure that you give your body enough breaks.

The improvement of movement sequences is carried out in particular in physiotherapy and is supervised by a therapist. It is therefore worth discussing with the doctor whether there are suitable exercises to be done at home to support the success of the therapy in this way.

Example: Relieve spasticity in the hand

    First, bandage the affected hand with the handMove the affected hand with the healthy hand to a table or on the lapKeep fingers away from the hand if possibleIn this position, stretch your arms forward, moving them slowly up and down


The movements can be optimized through therapeutic exercises. You should always make sure that you give your body enough breaks.OrthesesOrtheses are used to make the movements more controlled. These help to support certain areas of the body and make them easier to perform. These medical devices are prescribed by your doctor or orthopedist, who will help you choose the right orthosis.

Back to work


Returning to work with permanent spasticity is often difficult. Physical limitations can also lead to emotional and psychological problems. However, depending on the field, it is possible to enter the workforce. Care managers make it easier to enter the workforce because they are there to support the affected person. Care managers are specially trained to support affected people emotionally, physically and organizationally in their lives and private lives. For example, they contact the employment and pension insurance office on their behalf and work out a concept for professional integration with the affected person, their families and employers. This also means that the affected person is accompanied to work if necessary. This measure is intended to make it easier to return to everyday work. A care manager can be contacted through various organizations.

Health insurance companies and authorities


refund

According to health insurance companies, certain services for the treatment of spasticity are covered. Various orthoses are reimbursed by health insurance companies if prescribed by a doctor. But it is also worth submitting an application to the health insurance company for other services. These include physiotherapy and drug treatments.


Severely disabled person’s card

If everyday life is permanently impaired, spastic paralysis can be considered severe. The degree of disability must be at least on a scale of 20 to 100. Severely disabled people receive discounts on public transport or admission prices.


Interest

If the job can no longer be performed, those affected can apply for a pension. The degree of incapacity to work is used to determine whether a temporary pension or a lifelong pension is paid. This decision is made solely by the employment agency. With regard to the right to obtain a severely disabled person's ID card or a pension, it is useful to find out more about the individual case and to clarify any open questions.

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