Apps to Shorten the Road to Stroke Recovery

Updated December 2014

Developmental optometrists and occupational therapists continue to tell us that the Reading Focus Cards (Patent 7,565,759) help some of their patients recovering from stroke. These low-tech, reading tools can help patients with alexia to re-learn how to read. In addition, these Reading Focus Cards are providing help for patients with Parkinson'sand even dementia, helping them to focus and concentrate with greater success.

We also know that technology today, such as e-tablets and e-readers, is helping to level the playing field for all readers and learners with special needs. The access and use of this technology are not only advantageous for these readers and learners but is and will continue to be a great benefit to all of us. The iPad and Android apps are improving the quality of life for so many, and as a result, an increasing number of individuals with special needs are becoming a little more independent, a little more self-sufficient. This new independence will continue to be advantageous for all of society.

Stroke recovery is no different. Many of those who have experienced the devastating effects of a stroke can attest to the strong need and desire to regain independence, but the struggle can be a long road. However, with the new technology of apps, the road back to independence is being shortened considerably. When the technology of an iPad or a Kindle is combined with the Reading Focus Cards, recovering stroke patients challenged with alexia can benefit even more with the improved focus and concentration the tools provide.

This week, we wanted to give our readers some lists of iPad and Android apps particularly helpful for stroke recovery patients. It is apparent that at the time of this writing, there are considerably more iPad apps for this particular patient population than there are Android apps. This will mostly change as apps in both formats will increasingly be needed. We hope you will find the resources gathered here to benefit someone you know who is facing these unique challenges.

iPad Apps for Stroke Recovery

i-Pad Apps Help Stroke Patients---by Anne Sigmon
Short article with links to app lists for stroke recovery patients
http://annesigmon.com/blog/i-pad-apps-help-stroke-patients/

Using the iPad 2 in Stroke Recovery – My Family’s Experience---by Janet Cloniger
Article includes iPad apps for stroke recovery as well as information, insights and recommendations relating to the use of the iPad for this purpose.
http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/09/30/using-the-ipad-2-in-stroke-recovery-%E2%80%93-my-family%E2%80%99s-experience/

iPad Apps for Stroke Patients---from The Stroke Recovery Blog
Article with brief summaries of several apps for aphasia and other issues resulting from stroke
http://www.neuroaid.com/en/blog/other-information/ipad-apps-for-stroke-patients/

Android Apps for Stroke Recovery

Apps for Stroke Movement Recovery
List of apps that encourage post-stroke movement recovery
http://androidapp.lisisoft.com/android-apps/stroke-movement-recovery.html

Speech Assistant---by ASoft.nl (FREE)
A single Android app that designed to communicate with people who have difficulty speaking but are able to read. This may be in the case of aphasia, after a stroke, in case of vocal cord problems or other speech problems. The app can also be a tool to practice during rehabilitation.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nl.asoft.speechassistant&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsIm5sLmFzb2Z0LnNwZWVjaGFzc2lzdGFudCJd

Desktop Apps for Stroke Recovery

The Reading Focus Cards App (Patent 8,360,779)
This innovative desktop app can help readers focus on one or more lines of text AND block out more surrounding text than any other app available at this writing. It can assist challenged readers recovering from stroke (with alexia, aphasia or other similar conditions) to more easily locate, focus on the next line of text and track subsequent text lines.

To learn more about the Reading Focus Cards app (Patent 8,360,779), please visit http://helpforstrugglingreaders.blogspot.com/2014/11/new-desktop-app-now-helps-even-more.html or http://www.focusandread.com/page/488513590.

Direct links to access app download:
1. For Macs: Visit the Mac App Store and search for Read and Focus or go directly to
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/read-and-focus/id920617853?mt=12

2. For Windows PCs: Visit Gumroad.com at
https://gumroad.com/l/ReadingFocusCards. You may also visit the Microsoft Windows Store and search for the app called Reading Focus Cards. (No URLs are provided for apps in the Windows Store.)

For information on customizable reading tools:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of: The Stroke Recovery Blog-http://www.neuroaid.com/en/blog/other-information/ipad-apps-for-stroke-patients/