Stroke rehabilitation: What to expect as you recover

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Stroke rehabilitation: What to expect as you recover
What's involved in stroke rehabilitation?
When should stroke rehabilitation begin?
How long does stroke rehabilitation last?
Where does stroke rehabilitation take place?
Who participates in your stroke rehabilitation team?
What factors affect the outcome of stroke rehabilitation?
Stroke rehabilitation takes time

Stroke rehabilitation involves a variety of specialists.

Specialists who can help with physical needs include:

Doctors. Your primary care doctor, neurologists and specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation can guide your care and help prevent complications. These doctors also can help you achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid another stroke.
Rehabilitation nurses. Nurses who specialize in caring for people with limitations with activities can help you incorporate the skills you learn into your daily routines. Rehabilitation nurses also can offer options for managing bowel and bladder complications resulting from a stroke.
Physical therapists. These therapists help you relearn movements such as walking and keeping your balance.
Occupational therapists. These therapists help you lead a more independent and active life. They can help you relearn skills for dressing, bathing and household chores and return to driving. Occupational therapists also can help improve your ability to swallow and your cognitive ability with home and workplace tasks and overall safety.

Specialists who focus on cognitive, emotional and vocational skills include:

Speech and language pathologists. These specialists help improve your language skills and ability to swallow. Speech and language pathologists also can work with you to develop tools to address memory, thinking and communication problems.
Social workers. Social workers help connect you to financial resources, plan for new living arrangements if necessary and identify community resources.
Psychologists. These specialists assess your thinking skills and help address your mental and emotional health concerns.
Therapeutic recreation specialists. These specialists help you resume activities and roles you enjoyed before your stroke. Activities may include hobbies and community participation.
Vocational counselors. These specialists help you address return-to-work issues if that is one of your goals.