Stroke Rehabilitation
Post-Stroke Recovery Options
Stroke Rehabilitation |
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Stroke RehabilitationContents • What Is Stroke Rehabilitation? |
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What Is Stroke Rehabilitation?
It is a formal program run by many hospitals to help people deal with the effects of stroke. The goal of rehabilitation is to restore as much independence to the patient as possible by improving physical, emotional and cognitive (mental) function. Ideally rehabilitation, as part of stroke recovery, should begin in hospital and continue for as long as it is beneficial after release. A rehab program provides patients with access to a highly skilled set of health care providers including physical, occupational and speech therapists, as well as doctors, nutritionists and psychologists. As one of the main stroke risk factors is having a history of stroke, it is important to work with specialists, not only to improve your quality of life but also as a method of future stroke prevention. Post-stroke rehabilitation usually begins within 24 to 48 of the stroke. The first step is to promote independent movement because many individuals are seriously weakened or paralyzed. Patients are prompted to change positions frequently in bed and to engage in a range of motion exercises. Tasks issued gradually become more demanding as the patient responds to therapy. Once the patient is released from hospital the program will continue on an in- or out-patient basis. For some patients rehabilitation may be ongoing for months or even years.
What Are The Rehabilitation Options? The degree of rehabilitation necessary will depend on the severity of disability in the patient, their stamina, available funding, insurance coverage and access to local facilities. The following is a review of the most common options prepared by the National Stroke Association:
Rehabilitation Healthcare Team While taking part in a rehabilitation program you are likely to be assisted by a team of specialists including: What Does Speech Therapy Involve? If you were offered speech therapy it is because you have problems with communicating, thinking or swallowing (or in severe cases, all 3 areas). Speech and language therapy involves learning techniques to improve and compensate for these problems. Two conditions are particularly common in stroke survivors - dysarthria and aphasia. Suffering aphasia means you can think clearly but have problems processing language to either understand or talk to others. Dysarthria means you can no longer pronounce words (they come out slurred) because of trouble with the muscles in the mouth or face. Speech therapy can help improve these conditions as well as teach alternative methods of communication such as pictures or gestures. Therapists can also help people with memory loss or thinking problems. What Does Occupational Therapy Involve? Occupational therapists help stroke survivors with disability to adapt to their new circumstances in order to achieve a maximum degree of independence. They usually carry out an assessment of the patient's house and offer advice on how to make it safer and more manageable. A decision will be made as to what assistance they need by way of appliances - such as wheelchair, downstairs bathroom and chair lift. They can also provide a list of equipment which can help with everyday living (similar to arthritis aids). Therapists will spend time with patients teaching them new ways to dress, eat and bath. What Does Physical Therapy Involve? A physical therapist will develop an individualized treatment plan for patients, based on an initial evaluation of the patient's ability, strength, endurance and range of motion. The patient will be supervised throughout their exercise program which is carried out at the nearest rehabilitation center. Therapists can help survivors regain the use of stroke-impaired limbs. Disabled patients tend to avoid the use of impaired limbs and this behavior is called learned non-use. By forcing patients to repetitively use those limbs, this action encourages brain plasticity and helps them regain some use. Where Are Rehabilitation Centers Located? Inpatient Rehabilitation Units Related Articles Rehab programs are expensive so it is important to find out which portion of your bill your health insurance will cover and what you will need to pay out of pocket. The average cost of care for a patient for the first 90 days after stroke is $15,000. For those who suffered a severe stroke (10 percent) this rises to $35,000. The costs breakdown as:
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For more on cardiovascular health, see the following: • Causes of Stroke Return to Homepage: Womens Health Advice |
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