Stroke Rehabilitation

Our Stroke Program, certified by the Joint Commission, is comprised of an experienced team of professionals who provide specialty care to help individuals regain function from the physical and psychological effects following a stroke. Through intensive therapy, our team is committed to providing the most complete and optimal recovery possible. 

Elements of the Stroke Program include, but are not limited to:

• Prevention, recognition, assessment, and treatment of conditions related to stroke and its complications.
• Conditions may include bowel and bladder dysfunction, anxiety, depression, deconditioning, dysphagia, emotional ability, falls, blood pressure problems, pressure ulcers, and recurrent stroke.

To help patients regain the most function possible after a stroke, our interdisciplinary team of clinicians works with them on an individual basis. We implement a treatment plan designed to maximize potential and complement medical interventions by providing an interdisciplinary team approach to care.

Inpatient Rehabilitation Plays an Important Role in Stroke Recovery

We are dedicated to providing expert and compassionate care for recovery after a stroke.

Early intervention is critical when a patient suffers a stroke. Stroke rehabilitation should begin as soon as possible once a patient’s medical condition is stable and doctors have taken appropriate preventive measures against further strokes and complications.

Our intense inpatient program provides a personalized treatment plan for each patient with the goal of preparing patients to return home independently or with assistance from family members or other care providers.

Research shows that inpatient rehabilitation benefits stroke patients with:

• Going home quickly
• Short lengths of stay
• Minimizing hospital readmission

American Stroke Association (ASA) Guidelines

Key recommendations from the ASA’s Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery Guidelines provide the best clinical practices for adults recovering from stroke. First and foremost, the guidelines state that whenever possible, recovery should happen in an acute inpatient rehabilitation setting over a skilled nursing facility.

The guidelines suggest there is strong evidence that organized, interdisciplinary stroke care – such as that provided by an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) – not only reduces mortality rates and the likelihood of institutional care and long-term disability, but also enhances recovery and increases independence in activities of daily living. To this end, all patients who may qualify should be evaluated by IRF clinicians so the proper level of care for each patient may be pursued. According to the guidelines themselves, “the consistency of the findings in favor of IRF referral suggests that stroke survivors who qualify for IRF services should receive this care in preference to SNF-based care.”

Every patient is treated with dignity, respect and compassion. Patients admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation hospital benefit from specialized, intense therapy and nursing care for medical and functional needs that should prevent them from going to a less intense level of care.

Our Stroke Program Helps Improve Skills by Focusing on:

• Maximizing your independence, health and mobility
• Daily activities of living such as eating, dressing, grooming, bathing, and homemaking
• Bowel and bladder management
• Communication through speaking and writing
• Swallowing
• Improving memory and judgment
• Speech, language and cognitive activities
• Balance and coordination
• Psychological adjustment
• Self-image

Treatment delivery and intensity of service is determined as part of the individualized plan of care and will typically include a combination of 30- to 60-minute therapy sessions for three or more hours most days.

The Therapy Team

The patient, patient’s family, loved ones and caregivers are the most important part of our rehabilitation team. Our team of health professionals will work together with the patient and the patient’s caregivers toward recovery from a stroke.

Our interdisciplinary rehabilitation team specializing in stroke rehabilitation includes:

• Physicians specializing in rehabilitation providing daily oversight
• Rehabilitation nurses
• Physical therapists who work on retraining with movement, walking, balance and coordination
• Occupational therapists who help patients regain independence with eating, bathing, dressing, writing and other daily tasks
• Certified speech therapists who help patients recover speech, language, cognitive and swallowing skills
• Orthotic/adaptive equipment specialists
• Nutritional counselors
• Case managers/social workers
• Neuro/clinical psychologists

The EksoGT^TM exoskeletal unit assists patients with early ambulation following a stroke or spinal cord injury.

Caregiver Support

Since family is often an important part of the recovery process, the rehab staff provides stroke education and training to close family members.

A social worker, nurse or case manager will help the patient and his or her caregivers arrange for the help and equipment that will be needed at home after rehabilitation. Other activities may include stroke education classes as well as a stroke support group.

Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital offers a monthly Stroke Support Group in the evening for current patients, past patients and individuals within the community. 

Education and Discharge Planning

It’s important for the patient and family to receive instruction in many areas to help facilitate the readjustment to a fulfilling lifestyle. The case manager will assist with the needs of the patient after the rehabilitation journey has been completed by making the necessary arrangements for equipment, outpatient services, and home services.

A few topics of discussion at discharge may include:

• Understanding the medical, physical, and emotional effects of stroke
• Nutrition
• The adjustment to disability
• The availability and use of adaptive equipment
• Equipment maintenance
• Community resources
• Community reintegration
• Orthotics use and practice