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After a stroke two thirds of people survive and usually require extensive rehabilitation. The time period varies between individuals and is partly determined by where the brain has been damaged. If the stroke was quite mild it may only take a month or two but for others it is many months.

The 2 main goals of stroke rehabilitation are

1. To help stroke patients become as independent as possible and

2. To maximise your quality of life.

The brain damage suffered cannot be cured or reversed by rehabilitation but it aims to help you achieve the best possible long-term outcome in your stroke recovery.

Recovery After A Stroke

You need to relearn any abilities that went after your brain injury caused by the stroke. These are often everyday activities such as washing or dressing. If you have been left with residual problems you may need to learn to do things one handed.

All the experts agree the most important part of your rehabilitation is focused repetitive practice! You are learning or re-learning skills and need to practice the same as someone learning a musical instrument or kicking a football. Your mantra is PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.

You begin your stroke rehabilitation in hospital with the aim of starting your stroke recovery and setting you on the path to functional independence, or to put it plainly the path to being able to look after yourself without help.

Types Of Rehabilitation

Everyone if left with different problems after a stroke and your rehabilitation will be tailored according to your needs. The range of problems you may have are

1. Paralysis or difficulty with movements

2. Loss of sensation on the affected side or discomfort

3. Difficulty using or understanding language (the medical term is aphasia)

4. Difficulties with thinking and memory

5. Unstable emotionally with rapid mood swings

The group of professionals who are involved in your treatment after a stroke is quite large and includes specialists on getting you moving again, helping you relearn everyday skills, teaching you to speak clearly and making sure you are on the right medications if they are needed. So you will be seeing physiotherapists, occupational therapists, doctors, nurses and speech specialists on a fairly regular basis. They should work together to help your recovery.

So your recovery after a stroke will involve potentially many months of work by both yourself and many trained health professionals. The old saying practice makes perfect is true and most definitely applies to stroke rehabilitation.

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