Recovery following a stroke
Early signs of recovery within the first days following a stroke may be a good indication of lasting effects from a stroke. Sometimes abilities return quickly. In other cases lost daily living skills may return after several weeks or months or, if the stroke was severe, there may be little or no function recovered. Although not completely understood yet, health professionals have learned that:
- Brain cells may be temporarily damaged and recover slowly over time
- When brain cells are damaged permanently, the brain can learn to compensate
Depending on the seriousness of a stroke, you or your loved one may need to relearn skills or learn new ways to perform everyday activities relating to:
- Movement and balance
- Speech and language
- Writing
- Memory and decision-making
- Cooking and eating
- Driving
Rehabilitation from stroke begins in the hospital upon admission. A team of therapy professionals within the hospital will help you or your loved one with common activities of everyday life, such as standing, walking, eating and completing personal care.
This initial hospital stay may continue for several days. Following your hospital stay, the services of a specialized rehabilitation facility, a long-term care facility, outpatient therapy clinic, or home health services may be needed. A hospital case manager will discuss options for continued recovery.
Learn about the expert stroke care provided in Parkview’s inpatient rehabilitation center.
If you experience a stroke, it is also important to recognize that you may be at risk for another stroke. Consult with your neurologist or primary care physician to identify your risk for having another stroke and for ways to lower your risk.