May 13, 2024
What should seniors recovering from a stroke expect regarding rehabilitation and recovery? Often, they face challenges such as weakness, sensory loss, speech difficulties, coordination impairments, walking obstacles, reduced grip strength and compromised vision due to potential damage in certain parts of the brain. The path to recovery involves rehabilitation, which is necessary to promote neuroplasticity through strategic practices. This process is essential for relearning lost abilities by rewiring brain circuits. With expert guidance, disciplined therapy can rebuild these skills and significantly enhance quality of life.
Approaches to Therapy
Every stroke recovery journey is different, so personalized rehabilitation plans must be tailored to individual circumstances. Various interventions can prove helpful depending on the affected areas of the brain and body and the senior’s age and abilities. Consulting with medical professionals or therapists can provide deeper insight into specific recovery strategies.
The following therapies are incorporated and combined in most stroke rehabilitation programs:
Physical Therapy for Mobility, Motor Function & Range of Motion
Upon evaluating a senior’s mobility, including walking ability, transitioning between positions, and bed maneuvers, personalized goals are established, and a targeted plan is devised to achieve them. Therapists assist residents in regaining functional abilities, such as dressing, eating, grooming and tying shoelaces. Techniques may involve muscle strengthening, fine motor skill practice, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation personalized to the individual’s needs. Muscle tightness can hinder movement after a stroke. Therapists help seniors maintain joint flexibility and prevent stiffness through exercises that move limbs through their full range of motion.
Speech Therapy
Damage to the brain’s language center after a stroke can cause a range of speech disorders, including aphasia, dysarthria and dyspraxia. Speech therapists work with patients to address these conditions and improve communication and comprehension.
Occupational Therapy
After a stroke, seniors may experience changes in their abilities that can make independent living challenging. Occupational therapists work with seniors to adapt to their environment and incorporate adaptive tools to help them overcome obstacles. This can involve anything from providing mobility aids to suggesting user-friendly clothing and teaching strategies for daily tasks. The ultimate goal of occupational therapy is to foster maximal independence and improve the quality of life for seniors.
Improving these areas is extremely important for overall health and can lead to better functionality and an improved quality of life.
Aegis Therapies is committed to promoting post-stroke rehabilitation by offering customized rehabilitation and therapy, activity programs and assistance to help individuals find their strength, regardless of their ability level. Click here to learn more about how we can support your community’s journey towards improved well-being.