Stroke rehabilitation and recovery

A stroke, or Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA), occurs when the supply of blood to the brain is blocked or reduced, preventing the brain from receiving oxygen and nutrients. This can cause the cells to die resulting in a loss of function to the areas controlled by that area of the brain.

There are a variety of indicators that someone might be having a stroke, including: 

• Loss of muscle control, numbness, or drooping on one side of the face
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body, most commonly weakness in the arms
• Slurred speech or sudden loss of speech
• Low vision, double vision, blurred vision, tunnel vision, or blackout within one or both eyes
• Sudden onset of vertigo, dizziness, or the inability to balance
• Sudden or intense headache
• Nausea and/ or vomiting

Do not hesitate to call 911 if you or someone else is experiencing these symptoms. Getting medical attention fast can lead to better outcomes following a stroke.

Stroke rehabilitation is a program of specialized nursing care and therapies designed to help stroke survivors relearn skills lost after a stroke. This program is created to fit each person’s specific needs and includes working on daily living skills, movement, speech, cognition, and other skills that are important to the stroke survivor. Stroke rehabilitation can help individuals regain independence and improve quality of life.

Inpatient stroke physical rehab requires an extended hospital stay, most often following an acute care hospital stay, where care is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week by nurses, doctors, therapists, care managers, and other team members. Outpatient physical rehab is session-based, typically at a rehabilitation center that a patient visits a few times per week. Inpatient stroke patients receive a minimum of three hours of intensive therapy each day, whereas outpatient patients receive a few hours per week.

If your or your loved one’s care team recommends outpatient therapy, your inpatient care manager will assist you in this transition. The care manager will send a referral to the outpatient team, and they will contact you to set up your appointments and discuss your preferred location. This process typically takes place prior to graduating from Sheltering Arms Institute inpatient rehabilitation.

Every person’s experience with stroke is different; however, the average length of stay for hospital rehabilitation at Sheltering Arms Institute post-stroke is 16 days.

It is helpful to ask how many stroke patients the center sees per year, if they have a dedicated stroke program, and what percentage of patients discharge home. It is also beneficial to know what technology the rehab facility has available to assist in post-stroke recovery. Sometimes eligibility depends on your insurance, so it is important to contact your insurance provider to learn what they cover.

In the inpatient setting, stroke rehabilitation and recovery programs focus on assessing and improving:

• Activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, and dressing
• Mobility such as transferring from a bed to a chair, walking, climbing stairs, or using a wheelchair
• Communication skills in speech and language
• Cognitive skills such as memory or problem solving
• Social skills such as interacting with others
• Psychological functioning to improve coping skills and changes in mood, if needed

Each patient’s schedule and services vary based on individual needs; however, all patients will receive physical and occupational therapy. An individual patient’s schedule also varies day to day.

Physical rehabilitation is a team effort rooted in interdisciplinary communication and coordination. At Sheltering Arms Institute, inpatient stroke physical rehab teams are led by a physician and also include:

• Physical therapists focus on walking, balance, and coordination to help patients achieve maximum mobility and independence and improve major physical and sensory deficits.
• Occupational therapists help with upper-extremity recovery and daily activity skills such as bathing, toileting, and eating.
• Rehabilitation nurses coordinate medical support needs throughout physical rehab.
• Speech-language pathologists help with speech and language skills as well as swallowing disorders.
• Recreation therapists help adapt activities previously enjoyed pre-stroke or introduce new activities to enjoy moving forward.
• Rehab psychologists can help manage and adjust to the emotional and life changes a stroke may bring.
• Care managers help with discharge planning and arranging follow-up care.