How to Maximize Stroke Recovery
If you have had a stroke, rehabilitation is essential. A great stroke rehabilitation program can make a huge difference in the recovery process. It impacts quality of life, for the rest of your life. So, don’t settle for anything less than the best.
Stroke rehabilitation varies from patient to patient. Some factors to consider include:
- What type of stroke was it?
- Are there other health conditions?
- Did the stroke cause physical changes?
- Did the stroke lead to cognitive impairment?
- What type of emergency care did the patient receive?
Once medical professionals understand those factors, they can begin planning a rehabilitation program.
Many stroke survivors believe that their doctors and nurses will take an active role in their rehab. However, after you get released from the hospital, your healthcare team transitions to therapists and rehab specialists. While they work with your neurologist and other doctors, physical therapists are the ones who monitor your recovery and plan your stroke rehab.
In the hospital, your medical team focuses on stabilizing you. First, they want to stop the impact of the stroke, if possible. Next, they want to prevent additional strokes. If you have had severe physical effects, they will also want to make sure that you can breathe and that you are not at risk of a heart attack.
Post-release rehab focuses on four main areas.
- Physical
- Social
- Behavioral
- Cognitive
Physical Rehabilitation is aimed at restoring physical function. Many people lose some or all of their mobility. Rehab focuses on reteaching people how to walk, use their hands, feed themselves, and take care of their hygiene. It may also focus on teaching people to use mobility aids like wheelchairs or walkers.
Social rehabilitation acknowledges that strokes can change people’s personalities and how they can interact with their friends. It can be very isolating. Social rehab focuses on making sure that the patient retains social contacts.
Strokes can cause significant behavioral changes. In fact, they can completely change someone’s personality. Behavioral therapy focuses on helping people adapt to a post-stroke reality. It can also help people learn coping skills to deal with that reality.
Finally, cognitive therapy addresses cognitive defects and changes that are the result of the stroke. It can involve speech therapy, learning how to read, and other issues. For example, many stroke patients forget how to tell time.
Your therapists tailor your therapy to you.
At Inglemoor, we’ll work with you and help you find the balance that you need to recover and rejuvenate. If you have any questions, please reach out to us!