Path to Recovery: Find Care at Our Stroke Treatment Center

With professional care from a stroke treatment center, patients can achieve relief and independence to help boost their quality of life after a stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, strokes are the leading cause of disability in the United States. Few people are prepared to face the sudden event of a stroke. Our stroke treatment center understands the complexities of post-stroke care and can help customize the treatment plan for each patient.

Understanding stroke rehabilitation

Stroke rehabilitation (rehab) helps patients regain as much of their previous abilities as possible. Depending on the parts of the brain affected by the stroke, these programs provide physical, emotional, and social support after a stroke. While it may not completely reverse the effects of the stroke, it can help patients regain movement, speech, strength, and daily living skills to regain independence and improve their overall quality of life.

Taking a multidisciplinary approach to stroke care is ideal, focusing on each aspect of treatment and rehabilitation. Our team works collaboratively to provide personalized care at every stage of recovery. Each stroke survivor is unique, so we tailor treatment plans to address their needs and goals.

What goes into stroke rehabilitation?

There are many approaches to helping people recover from a stroke. However, stroke rehabilitation focuses on repetitive action and practicing movements over and over again. Each patient's rehabilitation plan will depend on the part of their body or ability affected by the stroke.

Some common therapies in stroke rehabilitation include:

• Physical therapy. Physical therapy implements exercises to help patients relearn movement and coordination skills they may have lost due to the stroke. It may also include teaching them how to use mobility aids such as a cane or walker.
• Occupational therapy. It focuses on improving daily activities and self-care, such as eating, drinking, getting dressed, bathing, reading, and writing.
• Speech therapy. This type of therapy helps people who have issues producing or understanding speech patterns.

In addition to therapy, stroke rehabilitation professionals may utilize medicine to help patients who develop depressive symptoms or other mental health conditions after a stroke. They may also recommend that the patient join a support group to provide additional community and support.

A professional support team

The stroke rehabilitation team revolves around the patient and their loved ones. This team helps set short- and long-term recovery goals and consists of many skilled medical professionals. Depending on the patient's team, their support team may include:

• Doctors (e.g., neurologists, physiatrists, and internists)
• Rehabilitation nurses and specialists
• Physical and occupational therapists
• Speech and language pathologists
• Registered dieticians
• Social workers and case managers
• Mental health professionals (e.g., psychologists, neuropsychologists, and psychiatrists)

When does stroke rehabilitation start?

Many patients begin rehabilitation as soon as they are stabilized in the stroke treatment center. This is typically two to three days after the stroke but can start as early as 24 hours, depending on the patient's condition. Rehabilitation will start with simple exercises to help them rediscover everyday movements, such as sitting up in bed, walking to the bathroom, bathing, dressing, and feeding themselves.

As the patient recovers, their stroke rehabilitation team will work with them and their family to determine the best rehabilitation setting, considering their needs, what their insurance covers, and what is most convenient for them and their family. Some stroke survivors stay at an inpatient stroke treatment center for two to three weeks as part of an intensive rehabilitation program. Others choose to go home and have home-based programs or travel to outpatient units for their rehabilitation.

How long does stroke rehabilitation last?

The length of stroke rehabilitation depends on the severity of the patient's stroke and any medical complications that came from it. Some stroke survivors recover quickly and only need short-term rehabilitation. However, most stroke survivors need some form of long-term stroke care, possibly lasting months or years after the stroke. The stroke rehabilitation program will evolve as the patient recovers and their needs change. With consistent practice and determination, they will likely continue to relearn skills and make gains over time.

Recovery takes time and patience

Recovering from a stroke can be an exhausting and frustrating experience. It is important to have the right team to support you through the process. Our team can help guide stroke survivors and their families along the path to recovery with compassion, expertise, and support. If you or a loved one needs post-stroke care, we are here to help. Call our Palm Harbor office to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://www.brainandspineni.com or call Brain and Spine Neuroscience Institute at (813) 751-2029 for an appointment in our Palm Harbor office.

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