Recovery From a Moderate Stroke

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It is also the leading cause of long-term disability. The goal of treatment is to help someone who has experienced a stroke become as independent as possible.

The Facts

• Rehabilitation begins as soon as possible after a stroke. Your medical condition needs to be stabilized before any form of recovery is considered. You may need therapy to regain skills in walking and talking, or you may need to learn new ways to perform daily tasks, such as bathing and dressing.

Types of Disability

• A stroke can cause several types of disability. Depending on which part of the brain is damaged, a stroke can result in paralysis, pain, communication problem or problems with memory, thinking and emotions. Different rehabilitation professionals will be involved in addressing different problems.

Considerations

• Early rehabilitation will include range of motion exercise to help strengthen weakened parts of the body. Later rehabilitation efforts will become more demanding and complex, such as learning to stand or walk without assistance.

Where Do You Recover?

• Recovery from a moderate stroke can be done in a hospital or rehabilitation facility. Therapy can also be done on an outpatient basis, or in your home assisted by home health professionals.

Factors

• Factors affecting the outcome of recovery include the timing of your rehabilitation, support of family and friends, the amount of damage to your brain and the skill of your rehabilitation team. Progress may seem slow and painful, but if you keep working toward improvement, there is a good chance you will recover some or all of your lost abilities.