Recovery after a Stroke

Stroke recovery should begin for a person as soon as they are made medically stable after the event. The goal for stroke sufferers is to regain as many skills previously possessed as possible. The effects of a stroke can vary greatly from person to person as can the recovery time required. 

The factors affecting recovery time after a stroke include:

  • The severity of the stroke
  • The severity of the damage/symptoms
  • The severity of the complications
  • The person’s willingness to recover
  • The skill of the recovery team
  • The appropriateness of the recovery plan
  • Timing-how soon the recovery plan is started
  • How well the person follows the recovery plan
  • Family/friend support
  • Availability of funding/ programs for stroke recovery

Types of programs for stroke recovery can take several different forms. These include inpatient rehabilitation programs, outpatient units, skilled nursing facilities, and home-based care programs. Stroke recovery programs can include the following people/specialists: Doctors, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, social workers (if the person has no family to help with care and decisions as to daily living), vocational counselor if the person is planning on returning to work after a stroke.

The first and most important component post-stroke is the medical stabilization of the person. Next, anticlotting medications and careful monitoring/evaluation are employed to make sure additional strokes do not happen. An effective stroke recovery program should involve the following components:

  • Help with language skills including comprehension, speaking, listening, and writing
  • Motor skills utilizing exercises for strength and coordination recovery
  • Mobility exercises-regaining the ability to get around effectively
  • Range of motion exercises
  • Psychiatric evaluation for cognitive skills, dealing with adjustments, and potential depression (common due to loss of independence and quality of life)

Nursing facilities should have individualized care programs available for every patient. If these care plans are not being implemented, the patient or their family members have the right to question why. Some facilities, being understaffed, will not follow the individualized care programs laid out for the patients. Some facilities even discourage the independence of patients by using catheters and sedatives to keep patients quiet and compliant. If you or a loved one suffered a delay in stroke recovery due to a facility that did not fulfill the patient care program, you may be eligible for damages. Call the Sweeney Law Firm and let us review the facts. If we take your case, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no fee for representation unless a settlement or recovery of funds is made on your behalf.