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Stroke Rehabilitation Stroke is the No. 3 killer in the United States. It's also a leading cause of serious, long-term disability. Many stroke survivors are left with mental and physical disabilities. Does a person need rehabilitation to recover from a stroke? Most gains in a person's ability to function in the first 30 days after a stroke are due to spontaneous recovery. Still, rehabilitation is important. For the most part, successful rehabilitation depends on
People with the least impairment are likely to benefit the most. But even with slight improvement, rehabilitation can mean the difference between returning home or staying in an institution. What is the goal of rehabilitation? For a stroke survivor, the rehabilitation goal is to be as independent and productive as possible. That may mean improving physical abilities. Often old skills have been lost and new ones are needed. It's also important to maintain and improve a person's physical condition when possible. Rehabilitation begins early as nurses and other hospital personnel work to prevent such secondary problems as stiff joints, falls, bedsores and pneumonia. These can result from being in bed for a long time. How can a stroke survivor's family help? A person's family has a key role in rehabilitation. A caring and able spouse or partner can be one of the most important positive factors in rehabilitation. Family members' knowledge also helps a lot. Family members need to understand what the stroke survivor has been through and how disabilities can affect the person. It will be easier for them to handle the situation if they know what to expect and how to handle problems that arise after the person leaves the hospital. For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE. Related AHA and ASA publications:
Related scientific statements: See also: American Stroke Association Aphasia Arrhythmias Atrial Fibrillation High Blood Pressure Sexual Activity and Heart Disease or Stroke Stroke Stroke Connection Magazine Stroke Effects Stroke Support Groups Stroke Risk Factors Stroke Statistics Stroke Symptoms / Warning Signs Stroke Tests Stroke Treatment Stroke Treatment Advances Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) |
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