Stroke | Treatment

What is stroke rehabilitation?

Stroke rehabilitation is a very important part of recovery for many people who have had a stroke. It helps build your strength, coordination, endurance and confidence. In stroke rehabilitation, you may work on how to move, talk, think and care for yourself. The goal of stroke rehabilitation is to help you learn how to do things that you did before the stroke.

Your doctor will be able to determine whether you need stroke rehabilitation and, if so, what kind of rehabilitation would help you. Most people who have had a stroke do get better. How fast and how much you improve depends on how severe your stroke was. Rehabilitation can begin right after the stroke is over and your condition is stable. Some improvements occur by themselves as the brain is healing.

What can friends and relatives do to help their loved one recover from a stroke?

If you are a friend or relative of someone who has had a stroke, you should encourage and support him or her. Visit your loved one in the hospital or rehabilitation center. If he or she has trouble talking, ask the speech therapist how you can help. You can relax with your friend or family member by playing cards, watching television, listening to the radio or playing a board game together.

Some places offer classes for stroke survivors and their families. Ask if you can go to some rehabilitation sessions. This is a good way to learn how rehabilitation works and how to help your loved one get better.

Encourage and help your friend or family member practice the skills learned in rehabilitation. Make sure that the rehabilitation staff know about activities that fit your loved one's needs and interests. Find out what he or she can do alone, what he or she can do with help, and what he or she can't do at all. Avoid doing things for your friend or family member that he or she is able to do alone. Confidence will grow with each task he or she does without help.

Ask your loved one's doctor and the rehabilitation staff to meet with you and your family so that everyone can ask questions and find out how your loved one is doing. In addition, take care of yourself by eating well, getting enough rest and taking time to do things that you enjoy.

Encourage and help your family member practice the skills learned in rehabilitation. Make sure that the rehabilitation staff suggest activities that fit your loved one's needs and interests. Find out what he or she can do alone, what he or she can do with help, and what he or she can't do at all. Avoid doing things for your family member that he or she is able to do alone. Confidence will grow with each task he or she does without help.

Ask your loved one's doctor and the rehabilitation staff to meet with you and your family so that everyone can ask questions and find out how your loved one is doing. In addition, take care of yourself by eating well, getting enough rest and taking time to do things that you enjoy.