When a stroke happens, life can change in an instant—and you know this feeling all too well if you or a loved one has experienced a stroke. However, it’s important to remember that recovery is possible, and you are not alone on this journey. Your experience might be different from that of another person, but anyone who has had a stroke can benefit from a comprehensive rehabilitation (rehab) program.

Embracing the Path to Recovery

The initial days and weeks after a stroke often feel like a blur of hospital stays, tests and uncertainty. Within time, however, your focus should shift toward rehab and regaining skills you may have lost and adapting to new changes. Accepting the need for rehab and embracing the process—even when it feels difficult—is the first step. In large part, your motivation, effort and willingness to participate are what determines your recovery and quality of life.

Rehab requires a dedicated team of:

• Healthcare professionals. Doctors, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, social workers and others bring the specialized expertise you need to recover.
• Home support. Learn to lean on your family members, caregivers and friends who can provide practical help with daily life, emotional support and encouragement.

Physical Rehab

For many people, one of the most visible impacts of a stroke is its effect on physical abilities. You may experience weakness or paralysis on one side of the body and have difficulty with balance, coordination or even swallowing. Physical rehab focuses on improving these issues with:

• Physical therapy (PT). This is a crucial part of your recovery journey. A physical therapist helps your brain and body get back into synch. PT improves strength, balance, coordination and mobility. Your physical therapist will create a personalized plan that might include specific exercises to strengthen weakened limbs, improve your gait and enhance your overall endurance. They can also teach you how to use an assistive device like a cane or walker if you need one.
• Occupational therapy (OT). OT, another essential part of your recovery, helps you relearn some of the skills you need for daily living, such as dressing, bathing, grooming, cooking, writing and more. During this time, you may need to adapt or learn new ways of doing things, which could require you to use assistive tools or make home modifications to help support your independence and safety.
• Swallowing therapy. If your stroke has made it hard for you to swallow, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can provide exercises and other strategies to help make eating and drinking safer and easier.

Cognitive Rehab

After a stroke, many people experience some disruption in their cognitive functioning. For example, thinking, remembering and paying attention can be negatively impacted, which can leave you feeling very frustrated. There’s help for this, too. An SLP can help address difficulty understanding or producing language, slurred speech due to muscle weakness and other issues. Things you need to work on may include:

• Attention/concentration. Practicing specific mental exercises after a stroke can help your brain heal and improve its ability to focus, making it easier to block out distractions and stay on task.
• Memory. Learning strategies to improve recall and organization can strengthen your brain’s ability to store and retrieve information, helping you remember things more easily and stay more organized.
• Problem-solving. Learning the skills for planning, organizing and making decisions can enhance your problem-solving abilities by giving you structured approaches to tackle challenges more effectively.
• Visual perception. Addressing challenges with interpreting what you see can strengthen your visual perception, allowing you to better process and respond to visual information for tasks like reading and navigating spaces.

Emotional Well-being

The emotional toll of a stroke can be profound and should never be ignored or underestimated. Experiencing a sudden loss of function, facing a long recovery and adjusting to a new reality can lead to a range of powerful emotions, including:

• Anxiety about the future or the risk of another stroke
• Depression, characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest and fatigue
• Frustration and anger over new limitations
• Grief over the abilities or lifestyle you lost

Acknowledging these feelings is just as important as your physical and cognitive recovery. That’s why support systems are so important. Talking to family, friends or a therapist about what you’re going through can make a huge difference. Many rehab programs include access to psychologists or social workers specializing in post-stroke mental health care. Support groups, where survivors and caregivers can connect with others facing similar challenges, also offer understanding and encouragement.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Rehab also means adopting lifestyle changes that support your recovery and help prevent future strokes. Steps include:

• Dietary changes. Adopting a heart-healthy diet that’s low in sodium and unhealthy fats, and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains will help maintain your health and reduce your risk for another stroke.
• Managing health conditions. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a heart condition, work closely with your doctor to learn how to keep them under control.
• Taking medications as directed. Take prescribed medications correctly and regularly to avoid future events.
• Regular exercise. Once your doctor and therapist say it’s safe, incorporate some light physical activity into your daily routine.
• Quit smoking. Smoking is known to contribute to stroke, cancer, heart disease and many other conditions. If you smoke, your therapy team can connect you to resources that can help you quit.

Looking Ahead: Patience, Persistence and Progress

Your stroke recovery will bring good days and challenging days. It’s important to develop patience with the process and persist in your efforts as you are rebuilding, rewiring and reclaiming your life, one step at a time.

Learn more about the stroke rehabilitation program at CommonSpirit Health.