Strokes vary greatly in their impact and severity, but most people are left with some form of debilitation after their stroke which will require care and therapy.
The good news is that the brain is a remarkably adaptive organ and even when stroke has destroyed a region responsible for one function, in many cases it can learn to transfer that function to another area, enabling patients to regain abilities they had lost. Sometimes, however, there will be effects which the patient cannot recover from, in which case the process is about learning to adapt to a different way of life which deals with these impairments.
This is a long-term process and recovery from stroke requires not only patience and perseverance, but also help from professionals. The path to recovery could even take several years, but over that time patients do generally see steady improvement.
The focus of recovery from stroke is on returning to normal life. This can involve therapy to improve physical or mental functioning, learning or re-learning skills and finding the right help and support for future life.
The NHS and Stroke
The first phase of stroke treatment is hospital. This is where
stroke diagnosis takes place and you are likely to stay there for several weeks after your stroke receiving treatment. Initially this will focus on limiting the damage of your stroke and preventing a recurrence, usually through medication. This will then move on to rehabilitation as doctors assess the full extent of the damage caused by the stroke and put together a plan for longer term recovery.
This plan will be individual to you since the effects of stroke are so varied. It will include psychological assessment because without doubt suffering a stroke is extremely traumatic, bringing feelings of anger, depression, anxiety and confusion. Your care team will help you with this.
As part of your rehabilitation there are numerous specialists who could be involved.
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Physiotherapist– Helps with weakness and paralysis. Works on muscle control and balance to improve mobility.
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Orthotist– Also helps with mobility by using splints for limb support.
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Occupational Therapist– Supports people with learning how to return to normal functioning both at home and work, helping with daily activities such as washing and dressing.
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Speech and Language Therapist– Helps with communication so people can talk, read, write and understand. May also tackle problems with swallowing.
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Dietitian– Poor diet can be a cause of stroke so patients will be advised on healthy eating to prevent further strokes and aid recovery.
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Clinical Psychologist– The ability to process information can be affected by stroke and this specialist will help with that. The longer term emotional problems of stroke will probably be handled by a community psychiatric nurse.
For many patients, the time spent in hospital can see very significant levels of recovery. However, for most the process of rehabilitation extends well beyond their stay and it is here in particular that other organisations have a part to play, in addition to any post-hospital care plans implemented by the NHS.
Voluntary Organisations for Stroke Support
There are numerous voluntary organisations in the UK which offer help to stroke patients.
The best known of these is
The Stroke Association. They work extensively to fund and promote research aimed at preventing strokes in the general population. They also aim to improve rehabilitation services as well as offering a range of support for victims. This includes advice and information as well as links to stroke clubs in your area and communication support services. They can even provide you with a Life After Stroke grant.
There are other organisations as well, including
Different Strokes for younger stroke victims and a large number of local groups. Your hospital should be able to advise you on the groups in your area.
Independent Stroke Support and Rehabilitation
Whilst the NHS does a great deal to help stroke victims it is an unfortunate truth that funds are limited and so is the extent of their post-stroke support. Many stroke patients have been frustrated that some forms of medically proven therapy are not available through the NHS. However, independent providers such as
Hobbs Rehabilitation provide a real alternative for those who are determined to improve their condition after suffering a stroke.
Hobbs offers a range of neurological rehabilitation services, but a core of their work focuses on stroke recovery. The principle behind this independent care is to build treatment plans around the patient, providing levels of therapy not usually available through the NHS.
This can work on an in-patient or out-patient basis and treatment can vary from just an hour a week to more intensive approaches, providing 20-25 hours of personalised therapy every week. This can work towards improving a patient’s physical or mental condition or indeed as a ‘maintenance’ tool, helping individuals retain and strengthen their progress over a longer period.
Home visits, special exercise classes and even advice for home carers all provide a range of options for those in need.
The ultimate goal is to restore independence and empower individuals to control their own lives once again. One lady of 85 returned home from hospital and faced a life of constant care, even requiring hoists to get in and out of bed. After extensive therapy with Hobbs Rehabilitation she improved her mobility significantly and is now able to live independently again.
Independent providers will go the extra mile and provide not only additional options but a new hope for stroke victims. There is no magic cure for stroke and not everyone can make a full recovery, but it is reassuring to know that providers such as Hobbs Rehabilitation consistently bring about real and lasting improvements that had previously been eluding patients.
In-Home Care for Stroke Patients
As well as therapy, for many stroke victims care is a necessity. This could be in the short term whilst they undergo treatment or as a more permanent arrangement to avoid the necessity of going into residential care.
Nobilis offers
post-stroke care services specifically tailored to the needs of stroke victims. Our carers are intensively trained in the needs of stroke patients and skilled in helping both them and their families deal with the difficulties brought on by this change in life.
Retaining independence is about more than dealing with physical needs; it’s about restoring quality of life. At Nobilis we care for our clients’ wellbeing in every way and our personalised care programme ensures peace of mind for everyone.
If you would like further advice or guidance about the issues surrounding stroke care our friendly and knowledgeable team at the helpdesk will be happy to assist. Whether you’re interested in using our services or not, we’re keen to offer help to the community at large and are just a phone call away.
Telephone – 0845 680 0225