Stroke Rehab Plan
by Anna
(NEW ZEALAND)
Question: What does a typical rehab plan look like for a stroke victim?
Answer: There is no typical rehab plan. Each stroke is different and can affect persons differently. One may experience mild stroke symptoms while another person has complete paralysis. These two scenarios would require two completely different rehab plans.
Therapy evaluations are done to determine a plan of care for stroke patients. Therapy evaluations often involve examining the following areas:
1. Range of motion
2. Strength
3. Sensation
4. Cognition (problem solving, memory, etc.)
5. Swallowing function
6. Balance
7. Vision
8. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
9. Proprioception (sense of body position)
10. Fine and Gross Motor Skills or Coordination
11. Muscle Tone
12. Speech
13. Endurance
14. Need for Adaptive Equipment
15. Need for Splinting/Braces
16. Need for Positioning Devices
Once a therapist has gathered data on the effects of a stroke, the rehab plan of care can be written. The plan will be made up of goals that address the patient's weaknesses and exercises will be done to improve the patient's status. You can look around the stroke-rehab.com website for specific exercises used for each of the areas above.
Treatment Tips from Others
To see tips from other survivors and caregivers about their treatment recommendations, click here.