Rehabilitation

In the first few days after a stroke, good nursing care focuses on assessment and preventing complications. Once the person is stable, the stroke team works out an individual rehabilitation programme (sometimes called a care pathway), designed around the person’s particular needs.

A stroke can cause:

• paralysis or loss of muscle control, usually on one side of the face and body;
• difficulty with language - speaking, understanding what people say, reading and writing;
• blurred or double vision or loss of eyesight;
• problems in thinking, memory, concentration and alertness; and
• depression, anxiety, mood swings and extreme tiredness.

Rehabilitation is aimed at helping people regain as much independence as possible, by relearning skills they have lost, learning new skills and finding ways to manage any permanent disabilities.




Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy helps with balance problems, paralysis or muscle weakness. The physiotherapist can:

• develop exercises to improve movement and stop weak limbs becoming stiff and painful (spasticity);
• help the person to sit up, move around safely and regain balance; and
• make sure the person is in the correct position, whether lying, sitting or standing.

Speech and language therapist
A speech and language therapist will assess difficulties with swallowing and communication and:

• recommend solutions to swallowing problems;
• talk to family and friends about what they can do to help with understanding and communicating; and
• help with talking, reading and writing.

Dietitian
If the person who has had a stroke has difficulty swallowing, has lost their appetite, is underweight or has diabetes, a dietitian can develop a nutritional diet that is safe and easy to eat.



Occupational therapist
Everyday activities can be hard for people who have lost their co-ordination and movement, or experience problems with vision. The occupational therapist can:

 

• teach the person how to do things for themselves, such as dressing, using the toilet and washing; and
• advise on useful equipment, such as wheelchairs.

Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist, or eye specialist, can assess any sight difficulties and may be able to prescribe special glasses or other vision aids.

 

 

 

Clinical psychologist
The psychological changes that come with a stroke can be extreme and unexpected. A clinical psychologist can assess and help with:

• emotional problems like tiredness, mood swings, stress, anxiety and depression; and
• difficulty with mental processes like reasoning, memory, recognising, concentrating and planning.

Links
Audio - When a stroke happens (3823 kb)
A stroke is a brain injury
Hospital tests
Swallow test
Heart and blood vessel tests
Going into hospital
From hospital to home