You survive a serious stroke, deal with its aftermath the best you can, but are completely unable to book a GP appointment because the surgery's AI receptionist can't understand your speech. Forget seeing your actual own doctor when you want to without a wait of 10 months... It used to be computer says no. Now its AI says no. This exactly is what happened to Judith Butterfield....
Judith, 71, had a stroke this January that weakened her right side and left her speech fragmented; both very common, as you know. Trying to book at her surgery in Armthorpe, she came up against an AI phone system called EMMA, and tried five times to get past it. It couldn't understand her. Upset and frustrated, she gave up and registered elsewhere.
And one detail will be familiar to ARNI stroke news readers: the system of course asks you not to use speakerphone; but as Judith holds the handset in her working left hand, as she said: 'I can't use the keypad now with my right hand, so what am I supposed to do?'
She's NOT alone. I did a bit of digging on Google about this and found comments that the same system copes badly with regional accents and speech impairments; one patient saying 'I could never get it to understand me, I ended up just hanging up.' Others just give up and walked to the surgery instead. Where I got told 2 years ago I can;t make any appointments in person and have to phone up!! It's Broken Britain at its finest, I'm afraid...
With the AI thing, EMMA is used across many UK surgeries & asking for a human doesn't work either; as if the AI can't make out your speech in the first place, 'just ask for a human' doesn't help you!
And the direction of travel is apparently just more of this; the NHS App is set to use AI to triage patients in a £10 billion overhaul, despite a legal duty (the NHS Accessible Information Standard, 2016) to meet patients' communication needs.
ARNI Stroke Rehab & Recovery says that used well, AI could cut the 8am scramble. Used badly, it builds a huge wall in front of the very people who need access most, like us stroke survivors.
What do YOU think about this? Let us know in the comments below!!
www.arni.co.uk
I don’t think very polite things about it. I’ve not battled with Emma but have experienced very long telephone routing menus - usually for hospital departments needi g you to have a good working memory to hold all the info being spouted
AI or non english speaker
Omg I'm going to rant again.... If NHS can invest in AI receptionists that aren't actually working they SHOULD be redirecting that to the use of AI in detection of and treatment of Stroke. I don't know who holds NHS budgets and their accountability but there are so many savings that can be made if they'd take the time to properly research changes and treatment....and it would mean people being seen, getting correctly treated (not just for stroke) and long term saving money. However on another note I can see people being very dismissive of this speech challenge because I fear there's a huge anti disability rhetoric at the minute..... It's sleight if hand from all political parties regarding the welfare bill - put the spotlight o 'disability' (in inverted commas because that's the tone projected) - because it's all 'their' fault for higher costs.... And ultimately it's bad business decisions in mgs, in government and councils..... Sorry I'm away to magically become un-disabled now....
A Life After Stroke *this*
Emma repeated my name back as South Joy, this system is ridiculous
There are many things that all stroke survivors must do, and many things that most will need to do. Start with basic tasks that you need to master in order that you can work towards more complex tasks. Everything you do will rewire your brain: by doing more, you will develop more motor control and gain strength. You will ‘get nothing by doing nothing’.
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Not sure what to do? Call us on 0203 053 0111 or email support@arni.uk.com to find out if there's a trainer near you who can help you.
#neuroplasticity #neurorehab #strokerecovery #strokerehab #strokeexercise #arnistrokerehab #strokerehabilitation #strokesurvivorscan
If you have upper limb difficulties, this is the online video that will be your ally. Here, Dr Tom shows you how you, too, can get as excellent function back in your upper limb as he has. He shows you what he did to gain function and shows tools that he has built to help survivors train their reach, grasp and release. He then shows you exactly how to make or acquire what you need to do what many hundreds of people have used to significantly (and very quickly) to reduce spasticity and flaccidity – and to gain control again of your more-affected hand.
arni.uk.com/product/the-successful-stroke-survivor-dvd-volume-6/
#strokerecovery #neuroplasticity #ARNIstrokerehab #strokerehabilitation #strokeexercise #neurorehab #strokearmrehab #strokerehab
How does one improve arm mobility with a completely atrophied anterior deltoid, triceps and forearm extensors? Those muscles are receiving no brain signals and three years of active assist movements have failed to produce any results.
One of the most important things to do after stroke — and never stop doing until you’ve reached your fullest recovery — is rehab exercise. Rehab exercise helps rewire the brain and improve mobility long-term.
If you're not sure what exercises are best for you then call us on 0203 053 0111 or email support@arni.uk.com to find out if there's an instructor near you who can help you.
www.arni.uk.com
#strokerehab #neurorehabilitation #strokeexercise #strokesurvivorscan #neurorehab #strokerecovery #neuroplasticity #strokerecoveryexercises #strokerehabilitation #exerciseafterstroke
So, here's a big question that ought to have a proper answer by now, but mostly doesn't. After your stroke, how did anyone actually know how hard to push you, and for how long and quite when???
If your rehab was anything like mine, for the most part, they really didn't. Various therapists seemed to go on variously: averages, what they'd done to/for others in the past, and the clock!!
ARNI Stroke Rehab news hears today that a new (international) consensus wants to change this, working towards 'precision rehab' - ie; the right treatment, for the right person, at the right moment.
The idea is NOT a new one - I've heard about this from colleagues for years - it's about biomarkers. These are measurable biological signals in a blood sample that show what's happening inside the brain.
Several are already under study btw. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and GFAP rise when nerve cells are being damaged, interleukin-6 (IL-6) reflects inflammation, and BDNF is tied to neuroplasticity itself; the brain's ability to rewire, which is the very thing rehab professionals at ARNI and other well-known rehabilitation organisations try hard to push.
So why should we, who've had strokes and are well down the line care anyway? I think really we should, still because timing is a huge part of continual long term recovery. And we know that leaving out./stopping rehab for too long means that you can inadvertently close the recovery time window a bit for yourself - ie. not maximise it but restrict it.
And that window is almost certainly different for every person. A blood test showing where you personally sit in that arc would let a clinician push when your brain is ready and ease off when it isn't, rather than guess from an average.
Btw, this is a research framework, not a test your GP can order as biomarkers are promising but still inconsistent, and it'll take years of large, long-term work - but at ARNI, we think that scheduled blood tests throughout a stroke survivors rehab journey (say, fortnightly???) to be able to diagnose when your brain's most ready to retrain would be absolutely amazing!
What do you reckon?? Let us know please in the comments below:
www.arni.co.uk
Different every day. I have a “good “ day I use it as best I can. Rehab ended when I had reached my personal max for the damage done. A couple of months. Maybe 3. Brain fatigue is my biggest enemy. 22 months post
Will this help those who had stroke 6 years back and also he is ,67year diabetes
We are prepared to try anything. We've had great NHS rehab at home, but ultimately it's up to us and how.much, how.long us a big question. The last thing we need is a fall and an injury
Well professional help was determined by my health insurance (USA) I was still bed bound when I got home needing a wheelchair - couldn’t get to the kitchen. It was my son who assisted and pushed me to do better
I'm 3 years post stroke and continue to improve. Have the mindset of an athlete and listen to your body when it's time to rest and learn to use neuroplasticity to your advantage. It's all education and motivation!
I know and understand my own stroke and limitations much better than anyone else, including the health professionals. I always respect and take advice from them, and I have learnt a lot from them, and I always share with them my learnings. But in the end, I know more what is happening in my brain than anyone else.
I'm 1 year post and I will say I got nothing but the best from the NHS.....From the tea ladies the cleaners, the nurses the doctors to the consultants.....Nothing but care and respect...
Go for it in my opinion...
Anything that can improve chances and optimum recovery absolutely should be there ... But ....NHS won't - I'm sorry they just won't. I was told to not bend down to try and clean our cat litter 3mths in - by the stroke nurse..... In case I fell.... Sorry but real life requires navigating.... Stroke care and even stroke knowledge here in NHS UK is woeful ARNI it really is.
Im 14yrs post strok i now think any rehad wouldnt work for me no movement left arm i im willing myself to heal better doing my daily arm streches but its so hard by myself as spascaty is really bad left arm is so stiff even with me trying to do streches on ive not ad much treatment with nhs i do still get botox injection but after 14yrs dont make any differcence to me but still going every 3 mths carnt give up now im willing to bet this stroke but its very hard if you avnt ad a strokr hard to explian x
Yes
It's true isn#exerciseafterstrokef#neuroplasticityp#strokeexercisek#strokerehabt#strokerecoveryexercisesy#strokerecoveryk#neurorehabilitationb#strokerehabilitationbilitation
And stacking the meds. That cause side effects and overdosing due to med interactions
So true!
Yes...
Experts in stroke acknowledge that a majority of stroke survivors in reality simply do far too little or nothing in terms of practising the tasks they need to perform. This inactivity is explained by many possibilities. They may not know how to self-rehabilitate after physiotherapy becomes unavailable.
They may believe that their doctor has told them that they will never get any movement back in a certain limb. They may just find it’s rather easier to get others to do things for them. They may have a fear of falling or suffering a further stroke.
Many others don’t apply themselves to self-rehabilitation for fear of ‘doing it wrong’ and/or developing abnormal lasting compensatory strategies. This is often, in our experience, caused by advice given to them that does not adhere to the conclusions of the latest evidence-based reviews of the stroke research literature.
The current neurological research indicates very clearly that much of the current rehabilitation care worldwide focuses on return to independence in basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) rather than on restoration of motor or sensory function.
The hospital therapists who I know, understand that both are part of successful rehabilitation. Early discharges from hospitals are a good idea to free up hospital beds and to get you back to familiar surroundings once again. But only if the support mechanism of your further ‘re-training’ is in place.
Often the support can finish far too quickly, leaving survivors (and usually their families/carers too) worried about what to do next, and who to go to for further help. Outpatient therapy and community care, or the lack of it, is often quite wrongly blamed for not solving all their problems.
ARNI Stroke Rehab can help with this; please go to www.arni.uk.com, have a read and then give us a call on 0203 053 0111, or emailsupport@arni.uk.com to to see if we can support you ;)
www.arni.co.uk
#strokeexercise #neurorehabilitation #strokerehab #arnistrokerehab #strokerecovery #strokerehabilitation #neurorehab #neuroplasticity #strokerecoveryexercises
I completely accept responsibility for my rehab....however, there IS a lack of consistency in follow up or hospital discharge - many are discharged without home checks (myself included), a follow on (continuation of previous hospital) physio... And I'm happy to help myself but I did and still do need guidance. There are good and bad or productive and less productive professionals getting paid by the NHS - both getting the same wage but delivering vastly different inputs....and *that* is not acceptable either. I hope I'm being constructive in what I'm saying because I do acknowledge good work where it is but my experience has not largely been this. I've learned more about stroke, neuroplasticity, tone, spasticity since my discharge and not from the NHS.... Sad but true. ❤️🩹
This is an interesting and informative read; Arjen is a neuro-scientist and Linda is a stroke survivor, like Dr Tom: Unfinished Recovery; From Crawling to Connected by Dr Arjen Kuipers and Linda Rådestad. It's a clinical guide focused on overcoming rehabilitation plateaus after a stroke. They call it the 3 layered approach.
Structured resistance training can increase muscle mass (hypertrophy) and also has been shown to have positive effects on reducing anxiety, improving quality of life and cognitive function. Resistance training is often pretty simple to do, but does need guidance. It could be dynamic (moving an object such as a dumbbell for a few repetitions) or isometric (producing maximum contractions against static resistance), or a mixture of both.
Showing stroke survivors how to do simple targeted strength-training is a good thing, not only for managing the weakness caused by muscle-loss, but also for targeting spasticity (with limitations). Improving motor neuron recruitment by using gravity against limbs, weight of objects used in tasks, external support and external resistance are evidence-based parameters which can be manipulated to increase strength.
Call us on 0203 053 0111 or email support@arni.uk.com
www.arni.co.uk #neurorehabilitation #strokerehab #strokerecovery #strokeexercise #neuroplasticity #strokerehabilitation #strokerecoveryexercises #neurorehab #exerciseafterstroke
Thank you to all of my past and present physios. You are amazing
It’s vital to continually extend your boundaries whilst minimising the risk to your safety. And it’s equally vital that you ask your therapist or specialist trainer how to do this.
When you start to take steps and are into the primary zone of controlling your gait again, there are so many ways you may find that a simple walking stick can improve your stability and confidence.
My caution would be to try not to rely fully a stick held in your less-affected hand so that it becomes habitual to weight-bear substantially though that side, thereby ‘negating the potential’ somewhat of your more-affected side. This can happen as a matter of course and can put back your recovery without you realising it.
Need some help? We have trainers throughout the country. Call us on 0203 053 0111 or email support@arni.uk.com to find out if there's one near you.
www.arni.co.uk
#strokerehabilitation #neuroplasticity #neurorehabilitation #strokerecovery #strokeexercise #strokerehab
Be Safe - not Silly! That's my motto and to keep pushing beyond where I'm comfortable... But not everyday because some days it is too much ❤️🩹
Cycling for Stroke survivors: One of the more beneficial methods of exercise and rehabilitation for stroke survivors is cycling. Using an at-home cycle trainer to stimulate the muscles in both arms and legs can help improve movement and walking ability in many ways, including:
Stimulates reciprocal movement – Walking requires a continuous and repetitive motion that can be difficult or impossible to achieve post stroke. A cycle trainer forces a coordinated and symmetric movement with both legs that can lead to improvements in their gait over time.
Can be used soon after a stroke – Until a survivor is able to engage in gait training to start walking again, a cycle trainer can be used to help rebuild the muscles and brain pathways that have been damaged.
Isn’t just for use in rehab – Even after daily and weekly therapy sessions are no longer required, a cycle trainer is a great tool for a healthy lifestyle. After a stroke it can be difficult for many survivors to maintain an active lifestyle so incorporating time on a cycle trainer can help build a healthy routine. This daily activity can even help to prevent repeated strokes.
Very safe tool in stroke recovery – With a seated or standing cycling trainer there is no balance required so the risk and fear of falling is significantly reduced and most survivors can use it almost entirely without assistance.
Easy to track progress – Cycling outcomes are easy to track and see as a survivor progresses from session to session.
Easy to alter the training regimen – Most cycle trainers have adjustable settings which will allow the user to customize their training session to their specific needs. Adjusting the levels of resistance in order to focus on muscle building (high resistance, low reps) or cardiorespiratory fitness (low resistance, high reps) means that each user will receive a personalized and targeted therapy session.
www.arni.co.uk
#ARNIstrokerehab #arnistrokerehab #neurorehab #strokeexercise #neuroplasticity #strokearmrehab
Click to view this Course’s ARNI Stroke Rehabilitation Workshop