Life with spasticity

Life with spasticity

The day-to-day life of a person with spasticity is very changing and can be difficult. Some situations can only be mastered with great difficulty or sometimes not at all. Victims often need support from caregivers or family members. Such restrictions and intimate activities such as physical hygiene, dressing or cooking can lead to feelings of shame and even depression. In addition, depending on the degree of disability, the profession can usually no longer be practiced, which in turn can lead to financial difficulties or dependency.

Some limitations in everyday life are shown below:

  • mobility
  • eating
  • cooking
  • dressing
  • hygiene
  • posture
  • sleeping


There are now specialized doctors, physiotherapists and ergotherapists as well as self-help organizations that support patients with spasticity. Spasticity cannot be cured to this day, but advice and offers of help can be accepted. Spasticity is currently gaining in importance in research and development, which means that new therapy methods are being created and spasticity can now be easily treated and alleviated. This not only increases the quality of life, but also relieves those affected, their relatives and carers.


Spasticity - who can help me?

First and foremost, you should contact your family doctor, who will refer you to different specialists after an examination. Nevertheless, those affected who also have spasticity can give you advice and encouragement. There are trained staff who will support you when you start a job and help you cope with everyday life.

Aids

There are now some bones that support those affected with their limitations in order to better master everyday life. These tools can be used with one hand to handle challenges independently and without the support of family members (caregivers).


Cooking and eating

Due to the paralysis, not all movements in the kitchen can be carried out by oneself, making care difficult. However, there are already tools that have been developed specifically for use in the kitchen.

  • Plate edge elevator
  • One-hand lid unscrew
  • Cutting boards with vegetable holder
  • One-hand cutting board
  • Special cutlery


Personal hygiene and dressing

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

  • Button help
  • Shoehorn
  • Brushes and bath sponges


Gripping skills

Patients suffering from spasticity sometimes cannot even open or close doors or reach for objects. There are instruments designed to make these activities easier.

  • Gripping pliers
  • Key holding aids


Communication

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

  • Large-key telephone
  • "Mouse" replacement devices


Exercises for home

Various exercises can also be performed at home for mobility or relief of acute spasticity. Regular exercise can improve the flexibility of the body, relieve people's spasticity and symptoms. In addition, perception is increased and the ability to see one's own body is trained. 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 accompanied by a therapist. It is therefore worth discussing with the doctor whether there are suitable exercises at home to support the success of the therapy in this way.

Example: Release spasticity from the hand

  • First connect the affected hand with the hand
  • Move the affected hand with the healthy hand to a table or on the lap
  • Keep fingers away from the hand if possible
  • In this posture, stretch your arms forward, moving them slowly up and down


Movements can be optimized through therapy exercises. You should always make sure that you take enough breaks for your body.


Orthoses

Orthoses are used to be able to carry out the movements in a more controlled manner. These help support specific areas of the body and make it easier to perform. These medical aids are prescribed by your doctor or orthopedist and they will support you in choosing the right orthosis.

Back to work

Returning to work with persistent spasticity often proves difficult. Physical limitations can also lead to emotional mental health problems. Nevertheless, depending on the field of study, it is professionally possible to go into professional life. Care Manager makes it easier for you to start your career, because you are there to support the person concerned. Care managers are specially trained to support affected people emotionally, physically and organizationally in their lives and private lives. For example, they contact the office for work and pension insurance on their behalf and work out a concept for professional integration with those affected, their families and employers. This also means that the person concerned is accompanied to the workplace if necessary. This measure is intended to facilitate the 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 on medical prescription. But it is also worth submitting an application to the health insurance company for other services. These include physical therapy and drug treatments.


Severely handicapped pass

When daily life is permanently impaired, spasticity can be considered serious. The degree of disability must be at least on a scale of 20 to 100. Severely disabled people receive discounts on the use of public transport or on admission prices.


Interest

If the profession can no longer be practiced, those affected can apply for a pension. The degree of incapacity to work is used to check whether a temporary pension or a lifetime pension is paid. This decision is made solely by the Employment Agency. With regard to the right to obtain a disabled person's pass or a pension, it makes sense to find out more about the individual case and to clarify open questions.

Share by: