Many have survived a stroke or brain attack and are living with the after-effects; the very word "stroke" itself indicates that no one is ever prepared for this sudden, often catastrophic event.

Rehabilitation does not reverse or undo the damage caused by a stroke; rather, the focus of rehabilitation is to rebuild strength, coordination, capability, and confidence.

Stroke survivors can find workable solutions to most difficult situations by approaching every problem with patience, ingenuity, perseverance, and creativity.

General recovery guidelines show:

• 10 percent of stroke survivors recover almost completely
• 25 percent recover with minor impairments
• 40 percent experience moderate to severe impairments requiring special care
• 10 percent require care in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
• 15 percent die shortly after the stroke

Rehabilitation starts in the hospital as soon as possible after the stroke. In patients who are stable, rehabilitation may begin within two days after the stroke has occurred, and should be continued as necessary after release from the hospital.

It is yet not completely known about how the brain compensates for the damage caused by stroke or brain attack.

• Some brain cells may be only temporarily damaged, not killed, and may resume functioning.
• In some cases, the brain can reorganize its own functioning.
• Sometimes, a region of the brain "takes over" for a region damaged by the stroke.
• Stroke survivors sometimes experience remarkable and unanticipated recoveries that can't be explained.

Stroke rehabilitation is designed to meet the individual's needs, thus, each program is different. Stroke rehabilitation works best when the patient and their family members work together as a team. Family members need to understand the stroke disabilities and how they affect the individual.

Relationships: Intimacy

Most couples find that their sexual relationship has changed.

• The quality of a couple’s sexual relationship following a stroke differs from couple to couple.
• The quality of the relationship before the stroke is the best indicator of how well both of you will adjust afterward.
• There can be many different obstacles to resuming a loving, sexual relationship.

Rehabilitation Activities

In hospital or nursing facility rehabilitation programs, the patient may spend several hours a day in activities such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, recreational therapy, group activities and patient and family education. It is important to maintain skills that help recovery. Part of the time is spent relearning skills (such as walking and speaking) that the person had before the stroke. Part of it is spent learning new ways to do things that can no longer be done the old way (for example, using one hand for tasks that usually need both hands).

Rehabilitation Goals

• Being able to walk, at least with a walker or cane, is a realistic goal for most stroke survivors.
• Being able to take care of oneself with some special equipment is a realistic goal for most.
• Being able to drive a car is a realistic goal for some.
• Having a job can be a realistic goal for some people who were working before the stroke. For some, the old job may not be possible but another job or a volunteer activity may be.

Reaching treatment goals does not mean the end of recovery. It just means that the stroke survivor and family are ready to continue recovery on their own.

The stroke rehabilitation team:

The stoke rehabilitation team involves the patient and family in all activities, including establishing short and long-term goals for recovery. Many skilled professionals are part of the stroke rehabilitation team, including:

• neurologists
• physiatrists
• internists
• rehabilitation nurses
• social workers
• dietitians
• physical therapists
• occupational therapists
• psychologists / psychiatrists
• speech / language pathologists

How the Family Can Help

If you are a family member of a stroke survivor, here are some things you can do:

• Encourage and Support the patient's efforts to participate in rehabilitation decisions.
• Try to communicate and interact with the patient. You can relax together while playing cards, watching television.
• If the patient has trouble communicating (aphasia), seek the help of a speech-language pathologist.
• Participate in education offered for stroke survivors and their families. Learn as much as you can and how you can help.
• Ask to attend some of the rehabilitation sessions.
• Encourage and help the patient to practice skills learned in rehabilitation.
• Make sure that the program staff suggests activities that fit the patient's needs and interests.
• Find out what the patient can do alone, what the patient can do with help, and what the patient can't do. Then avoid doing things for the patient that the patient is able to do. Each time the patient does them, his or her ability and confidence will grow.

Related Articles

• Is Stroke Worse than a Heart Attack?
• Heart Patients are at a High Risk of Stroke
• Behavioral and Emotional Changes after Stroke
• Recent Facts in Treatment and Research of Stroke.