Stroke Recovery

Stroke Recovery: What You Need to Know

Suffering from a stroke is never an easy situation for anyone. It takes a tremendous toll on every aspect of the patient’s life and effective stroke recovery requires a lot of attention and support. It can take days, weeks, and even months before things get back to normal, but with the right support, you can get back to your normal routine. 

As one of the top post-acute care facilities in Southern California, South Coast Post Acute provides a high standard of care for every patient it works with. We’ve assisted thousands of patients on their road to recovery and this is what we’ve seen.

The Initial Treatment for Stroke Recovery

After experiencing a stroke, you’ll be admitted to an emergency department to stabilize your condition and determine the type of stroke. The typical length of a hospital stay after a stroke is five to seven days, but depending on the severity of the stroke, you may need to spend more time in intensive care or an acute care facility. 

Patients must begin rehabilitation as soon as possible after they have been treated for the stroke. This ensures a better chance of a full recovery and reduces the risk of future complications. A typical rehabilitation team will include physiatrists, neurologists, physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists, and nurses. They’ll synergize their knowledge and experience to create a comprehensive stroke recovery road map to help you return to form. 

Understanding the Long-Term Effects of a Stroke

While the effects and severity of a stroke itself vary from person to person, you must take its long-term effects into account for recovery. This may include:

  • Cognitive symptoms: memory problems and trouble sleeping
  • Physical symptoms: weakness, paralysis, and difficulty swallowing
  • Emotional symptoms: depression and impulsivity

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy professionals can determine which areas of the brain are affected by working with a patient to complete various tasks. To ensure an effective stroke recovery, they will monitor basic functional tasks, like walking or talking to identify areas that need attention. 

Priorities to Consider in Stroke Recovery

The number one goal in stroke rehabilitation is to focus on getting the patient to perform activities of daily living (ADL). This includes tasks such as cooking for one’s self, bathing, brushing teeth, and other everyday tasks. It’s also important to speak with your care team about activities to help get you back to your favorite hobbies. 

As mentioned above, strokes can have a tremendous impact on us cognitively and emotionally. Rehabilitation psychologists and neuropsychologists will screen for these symptoms and create a plan of action to reduce their effects. Additionally, they’ll help patients develop resilience and ways to cope with what could be a permanent life-changing situation.

What You Might See in the First 1-3 Months of Stroke Recovery

During stroke recovery you are practically relearning how to perform certain functions. It takes time to see results but rehabilitation therapists will work with patients to keep their momentum going. This is also a prime time for therapists to explore new treatments for patient’s stroke recovery. Due to it being so early in recovery, progress will be more noticeable.

Additionally, some patients may experience unfortunate health setbacks, like pneumonia, a heart attack, or another stroke. These setbacks have a significant impact on the patient physically, mentally, and emotionally. Moreover, they may force rehabilitation to be put on hold.

What Happens After 6 Months of Stroke Rehabilitation

According to Hopkins Medicine, progress is possible after the six-month mark, but it will be much slower. Typically stroke patients reach a relatively stable state at this point or are very close to a full recovery. This is entirely dependent on the severity of the stroke, how fast the initial treatment was provided, and the type of rehabilitation involved. While recovery may slow down, it’s important to follow up with your care team to manage any health concerns and adjust to a post-stroke life. 

South Coast Post Acute Helps Patients on Their Road to Recovery

Between our skilled staff, commitment to quality of care, and innovative technology, South Coast Post Acute is one of the premier post-acute facilities in Southern California. We strive to provide exceptional care services for every patient we work with to ensure their needs are met. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you or a loved one with their post-acute needs. 

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