Day to day life
- Kate Mulgannon, Occupational Therapist
- 5 minute read
- Last updated: September 2023
A stroke can change or limit your ability to do your hobbies or carry out daily activities like cooking, washing and getting dressed.
An occupational therapist (OT) can help you rebuild the skills you need to live independently.
Activities of daily living
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are the basic activities that make up everyday life and wellbeing. Almost all ADLs are in the categories of self-care, productivity or leisure. A stroke can change or limit your ability to carry out your ADLs.
Occupational therapists (OTs) look at how your stroke has affected your ADLs and work with you to find ways to rebuild the skills you need to regain or increase your independence.
Self-care
Self-care involves caring for your body and personal hygiene. Following a stroke, it may be difficult for you to do things like get dressed, feeding yourself or taking a shower.
Dressing
After a stroke, you might find it difficult to dress yourself because of new physical or cognitive (thinking) changes. Your therapist can help you develop the skills you need to make it easier. The short video below also has some useful tips.
Eating
Using cutlery after a stroke may feel clumsy, or you may find it takes more of an effort than it used to. Occasionally, equipment can be useful, such as a plate guard or thick-handled cutlery. Your OT can help you find ways to feed yourself as independently as possible.
Going to the toilet
If your stroke affected your strength or movement, it can be hard to get on and off the toilet. Your OT can give you advice on the safest way to do this. They can also recommend equipment or aids that may help.
Home environment
After a stroke, you may need to make adaptations or changes to your home so that it is more accessible for you and your needs. Your occupational therapist can provide recommendations if necessary.
Productivity
Productivity involves contributing to society through paid or unpaid work. Productivity looks different for each person. For some it means cooking, cleaning, caring for family or maintaining a farm. For others, it means getting and staying in employment, attending college or volunteering. Returning to productivity after a stroke can be a challenging but meaningful goal. It is important to work with your occupational therapist who can provide personalized guidance and support.
- Take a look at working and studying page to learn more
Leisure
Leisure simply means the ADLs that you enjoy doing! Often when we become unwell, leisure is the first area that is overlooked, but it is a hugely important part of life and often shapes who we are. Leisure activities can have a great influence on your physical and mental health.
Leisure should be a big part of your life after stroke. Doing something you love or that helps you to relax makes you feel good and gets you back to enjoying life.
Sometimes after a stroke you may be unable to return to the leisure activities you previously enjoyed, or you might want to try something different. See below for some ideas.
Other information
Helpful groups and organisations
Croí provides digital training for those looking to become better at using Zoom.
Website: www.croi.ie/digital-training
Croí run and Active Ireland run in-person and virtual yoga classes.
Website: www.croi.ie/benefits-of-yoga
Website: www.activeirl.ie
A “men’s shed” is a community-based project where men can come together to learn, share skills and develop friendships.
Website: www.menssheds.ie
If you want to get back into sport/fitness, or if you want to start a new sport or fitness routine, get in touch with your local community sports centre.
Website: www.dublincity.ie/residential/sports-and-leisure/sports-and-fitness-centres
Find and join your local library service.
Website: www.librariesireland.ie
Vision Sports Ireland is the national governing body in Ireland for sporting activities for blind and visually impaired people. Anyone with a visual impairment who wants to engage in sport or activity can join.
Headway Ireland offers a range of cognitive, social, educational, creative and rehabilitative activities in a supportive environment.
Website: www.headway.ie/view-our-services/group-social-day-rehabilitation
Top tips
Share your interests and hobbies
Share your interests and hobbies with your therapists, as this will allow them to tailor programmes to your goals.
Kate Mulgannon | Occupational therapist in stroke |
Ask family or friends
If you are in hospital following a stroke, ask a family member or friend to bring in some of your own clothes, shoes and grooming items.
Kate Mulgannon | Occupational therapist in stroke |
Frequently asked questions
It is important that people get back to the ADLs (activities of daily living) that they need to do or want to do. Sometimes it can take time to get back doing them, or you might have to do them in a different way. Your occupational therapist can make recommendations about how you can return to your ADLs.
There are aids and equipment which some people may need to support them in doing their ADLs. Not everyone will require equipment/aids – it will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Your occupational therapist can make recommendations on this.
