Post Stroke Rehabilitation Options
After care for a stroke involves different stages of rehabilitation and recovery often involves transitioning through various rehabilitation settings depending on the severity of the stroke and individual needs. Post stroke rehabilitation helps survivors regain physical, cognitive, and emotional functions, and it can take place in various settings depending on the severity of the stroke and the needs of the patient.
1. Acute Care and Rehabilitation Hospitals
Description: After a stroke, patients often start their recovery in an acute care hospital, where they receive intensive medical treatment, monitoring, and therapy. Once medically stabilized, they may be transferred to a rehabilitation hospital for more focused rehabilitation.
Treatment after stroke: Rehabilitation hospitals provide intensive therapy, usually including at least three hours a day of physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The goal is to help patients regain independence in daily activities as quickly as possible.
Duration: Typically, patients stay in acute rehab for 2–4 weeks, depending on their progress and insurance coverage with the goal of discharging to home or another rehabilitation setting.
2. Long Term Acute Care Hospitals
Description: Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals provide specialized, continuous medical care for individuals with complex medical needs. These hospitals serve patients who require extended hospital care but are stable enough to leave traditional acute care settings.
Treatment after stroke: LTACHs focus on managing serious, chronic medical issues such as respiratory failure, wound care, and long-term rehabilitation. They are ideal for stroke patients who need prolonged recovery, often due to complications or severe strokes.
Duration: Patients typically stay in LTACHs for weeks to months, depending on the complexity of their condition and progress.
3. Sub-Acute Facilities
Description: Sub-acute rehabilitation facilities (also called skilled nursing facilities or SNFs) offer a lower intensity of rehabilitation than acute rehab hospitals. They are designed for patients who need rehabilitation but aren’t ready for intensive therapy.
Treatment after stroke: In these settings, patients receive physical, occupational, and speech therapy, but less frequently, typically one to two hours per day. This setting is suited for individuals who may not tolerate intense therapy due to health or stamina and can not be supported at home.
Duration: Stays can last from several weeks to a few months, depending on the patient’s progress and insurance coverage..
4. Long-Term Care Facilities
Description: Long-term care facilities are designed for stroke survivors who need ongoing medical care and assistance with daily living activities over an extended period or the rest of their lives. These patients may have more severe disabilities or require constant medical supervision.
Treatment after stroke: The rehabilitation in these facilities focuses on maintaining the patient’s current abilities, preventing complications such as contractures, and providing support with activities like eating, dressing, bathing and medication management.
Duration: Long-term care is typically for individuals who need permanent assistance or extensive, ongoing care.
5. Home Health Agencies
Description: Home health agencies provide post stroke care at home. This option is ideal for individuals who are homebound or prefer recovering in a familiar environment.
Treatment after stroke: Therapists visit the patient at home to provide physical, occupational, or speech therapy. The focus is on helping the patient adapt to their home environment and regain physical activity after stroke.
Duration: Home health rehabilitation can last weeks to months, depending on the patient’s progress and their ability to transition to outpatient therapy.
6. Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
Description: Once stroke survivors have regained enough independence to return home but still need therapy, they may transition to an outpatient rehabilitation facility. These facilities offer rehabilitation services where patients visit the clinic for scheduled therapy sessions.
Treatment after stroke: Outpatient therapy focuses on physical therapy after stroke. Patients typically attend sessions a few times a week, depending on their needs and recovery goals.
Duration: This phase can last from months to years, depending on the individual’s progress and goals.
