I built my recovery at home. Here is every item I used in the first year, from the week I got home to the month I walked unassisted. No fluff. No sponsorship. Just the gear that worked.
This is written by Nick Kremers, who was paralyzed by a stroke, spent three years in a wheelchair, and rebuilt his way back to walking, typing, and training again. He built Stroke Recovery Academy out of that wheelchair, and everything on this page is filtered through what actually worked in his own recovery and the recoveries of the survivors he now coaches. Read his full story →
Every item I used in my first year: shower chair, grab bars, adaptive utensils, BP monitor, resistance bands, ankle trainer, and more. The full kit in one place.
Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The first week home is about safety, not progress. You need to not fall. You need to not re-injure. You need to sleep. These items are the foundation.
Once you are medically cleared for active movement, start building strength. These tools are the first layer of home rehab.
By month three, you are ready for more targeted rehab. These tools address specific deficits.
By month six, you are building on a foundation. These tools add challenge and variety.
Short on time? Complete Stroke Recovery Home Kit is the one Nick recommends first.
Check Price on Amazon →The full kit, bought over six months, costs roughly $300–500. That is less than two weeks of outpatient therapy. It is the best investment I made in my recovery. The link below is an Amazon affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Every item linked is one I used myself.
Most of these items qualify for HSA and FSA reimbursement as medical expenses. The IRS considers equipment "primarily for medical care" to be eligible — and all of these items qualify with a physician or OT letter of medical necessity. Save receipts. Submit for reimbursement. The shower chair, grab bars, BP monitor, ankle trainer, and CPAP accessories are all routinely reimbursed.
Some insurance plans cover durable medical equipment (DME) for items like the blood pressure monitor, CPAP machine, and shower chair when ordered by a physician. Call your insurer's DME line and ask about your plan's coverage before you pay out of pocket. Medicaid and Medicare Part B both cover specific DME categories — a hospital social worker or discharge planner can help you navigate this.
If cost is a barrier: many stroke survivor advocacy organizations offer equipment loan programs. The American Stroke Association, local rehabilitation centers, and medical equipment lending closets (often run through churches and community organizations) have basic items available. Ask your hospital discharge team for local resources before you pay retail.
Buy the shower chair and the grab bars before the survivor comes home from the hospital. Not after the first fall. Before.
Most families wait until there is an incident, then scramble to fix the bathroom in a panic. The installation takes a few hours and requires finding a handyman or someone handy — that is not a task you want to do the evening after a fall. Do it the week before discharge. The installer does not need to be a professional; they need to be able to locate a stud with a finder and use a drill. The time window between discharge and the first fall is shorter than families expect.
No. Start with the week 1 basics. Add items as your recovery progresses and as your budget allows. The shower chair and grab bars are non-negotiable. Everything else is added based on your specific deficits and goals.
Many of these items are eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement if your doctor provides a letter of medical necessity. Shower chairs, grab bars, BP monitors, CPAP machines, and some adaptive equipment are often covered. Check with your insurer.
Most of these items are compact. The resistance bands, yoga blocks, and wobble board fit in a closet. The shower chair folds. The electric trainer sits under a desk. The only items that need installation are the grab bars, which are worth the effort regardless of space.
Ask your physical therapist. They can assess your specific deficits and recommend the items that will give you the fastest return. In general: safety first, then mobility, then strength, then precision.
I built my recovery at home. Here is every item I used in the first year, from the week I got home to the month I walked unassisted. No fluff. No sponsorship. Just the gear that worked.