Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke rehabilitation is training and therapy that helps a person regain function and relearn skills that were lost as a result of a stroke. The focus of rehabilitation (rehab) depends on which part of the brain was damaged from the stroke and how much damage was done.

Rehab begins in the hospital, when the person's health is stable after having a stroke. A rehab team that includes doctors and nurses and physical, occupational, speech, and recreational therapists helps the person to resume activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, and dressing. Some people may need help learning how to walk again, communicate, and overcome disabilities from the stroke.

A psychologist can provide counseling to help the person or family members adjust and cope after a stroke. Counselors may use interviews and tests to identify and understand where the person is having trouble with thinking or memory.