Stroke Recovery Depends on Rehabilitation Says Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Eastern Connecticut

700,000 Americans suffer a stroke every year, and at present about four million Americans are living with the effects of stroke.

The effects of stroke can differ widely depending on which part of the brain is damaged and the severity of the stroke. While the effects of stroke can be quite serious, the news from the stroke front is not all bad: ten percent of stroke survivors recover completely and another 25% recover with minor impairments, according to the National Stroke Association. While rehabilitation cannot “heal” the effects of a stroke, it can help patients achieve the best possible outcome and improve independent living and quality of life.

How Does Recovery Begin?

Rehabilitation will help patients “relearn” the skills that are lost when stroke occurs. Think of how you first learned a new skill such as riding a bicycle. The ability to learn the skill came with practice. It’s the same with recovery from stroke. Rehabilitation professionals agree that the most important key to success is carefully directed well-focused repetitive practice. Recovery involves learning new ways to accomplish tasks. For example, patients may learn to bathe or dress using one hand.

Rehabilitation therapy begins in the hospital within 24 to 48 hours after the stroke occurs. Because the stroke may cause weakness or paralysis, the first part of recovery will involve independent movement. A therapist may assist movement of the limbs at first. This is called “passive” therapy. Or patients may be encouraged to perform exercises on their own if they can.

Regaining the ability to carry out the basic activities of daily living is the first step to returning to independent living. Ongoing therapy with a variety of therapists may be needed for months or even years.

Where Does Rehabilitation Occur?

Rehabilitation will usually begin as soon as the patient is stable, often within 24 to 48 hours after a stroke. At the time of discharge from the hospital, work with hospital social workers to locate a suitable living arrangement. Many stroke survivors return home, but some move into some type of medical facility:

• Inpatient rehabilitation units are facilities where you may stay for two to three weeks receiving intense therapy most days.

• Outpatient facilities provide access to physicians and the full range of therapists specializing in stroke rehabilitation. Patients will typically spend several hours, often three days each week, at the facility taking part in coordinated therapy sessions and then return home at night.

 

Home rehabilitation allows for great flexibility with scheduling and gives patients the advantage of practicing skills and developing compensatory strategies in their own living environment. However, one disadvantage is that they won’t have access to specialized rehabilitation equipment.

Who Will Help in the Recovery?

Generally, stroke can cause five types of disabilities: paralysis or problems controlling movement; sensory disturbances including pain; problems using or understanding language; problems with thinking and memory; and emotional disturbances. A patient’s rehabilitation regimen is determined by the type and degree of disability that follows a stroke. Post-stroke rehabilitation involves:

• Physicians

• Rehabilitation nurses

• Physical, occupational, recreational, speech-language, and vocational therapists

• Mental health professionals

Neurologists usually lead acute-care stroke teams and direct patient care during hospitalization, and they sometimes remain in charge of long-term rehabilitation. However, physicians trained in other specialties often assume responsibility after the acute stage has passed, including physiatrists, who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

The patient’s doctor will have the primary responsibility for recommending which rehabilitation programs will best address their needs. The doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes or medication to help prevent a second stroke as part of the recovery. These changes may include controlling high blood pressure or diabetes and eliminating risk factors such as cigarette smoking, excessive weight, a high-cholesterol diet, and high alcohol consumption.

(c)2008 IlluminAge Communication Partners

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in New London, Norwich, Willimantic, Vernon, Putnam, Old Saybrook and surrounding areas. We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it. Our in-home health care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in New London County, Middlesex County, Tolland County, or Windham County, Connecticut, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references. In-home care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones’ continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you. For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0906.