Stroke Recovery
A stroke is something that no one can ever be prepared for, and stroke recovery takes therapy, treatment, and strong will. A stroke is a crisis that will rearrange all of your priorities. There is a tough road ahead, and we want to try and help you stay prepared. Attitude is incredibly important and beyond all treatment, perseverance, positive thinking, setting goals, humor, love, and hope will be your strongest weapons.
Stroke Recovery
The primary goal of stroke recovery is to restore as much independence as possible, through the improvement of physical, mental and emotional functions. Care is often taken to preserve the patient’s dignity and motivate them to re-learn basic skills such as eating, dressing and walking. Stroke recovery usually begins in the hospital as early as possible following the stroke. If the patient is no longer in medical danger, recovery can begin within 24 hours of the stroke.
Services available and often necessary during stroke recovery include therapy (physical, occupational, speech and language) and specialty medical or psychological services.
Physical therapy helps restore functional skills like walking, motor skills, range of movement, etc. It also addresses issues like partial paralysis (one-sided), and balance.
Occupational therapy deals with the re-learning of basic life skills, such as eating, toileting, dressing, and general care.
Speech therapy is often needed in stroke recovery, as patients often have trouble communication, thinking or swallowing. However, these can be reduced and compensated for. Two conditions can cause speech problems: dysarthia and aphasia. Dysarthia is an inability to control mouth muscles and aphasia is an inability to process language. Some treatments include learning to communicate using gestures and pictures.
Other treatments include therapeutic recreation, which reintroduces leisure and social activities to your life. Many of your favorite pastimes can be adapted to your new lifestyle, helping patients realize that they can still enjoy their lives, and keep them motivated to recover.
Your doctor will also provide medications, diet restrictions, lifestyle recommendations and contact information for less-general stroke recovery advice. Stroke recovery is very possible, and with determination and support, can give you back your regular life.
