Stroke Rehabilitation Procedures

The goal of stroke rehabilitation is to help you regain as much independence as possible. Stroke rehabilitation procedures include relearning skills you may have lost, such as the ability to dress yourself or to walk and talk.

The Facts

• More than 700,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke each year. Rehabilitation doesn't reverse the effects of a stroke but helps you strive to continue your daily activities.

Rehabilitation Procedures

• Rehabilitation procedures depend on what needs improvement in order for you to be independent. Areas worked on may include improving self-care and mobility along with communication skills, social skills and cognitive skills.

Timing

• Stroke rehabilitation procedures begin when your doctor determines you can benefit from therapy. Rehabilitation may be done in hospitals, long-term care facilities or in homes by home health care professionals.

Specialists

• Members of the rehabilitation team may include physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, recreational therapists and speech therapists. You may also wish to have help from a psychologist, psychiatrist or chaplain.

Long-Term Rehabilitation

• Procedures for long-term rehabilitation may include vocational training and driver's training. You may participate in programs to improve your stamina, both physical and emotional, so that you can go back to work.