Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke Rehabilitation Services in Staten Island, NY

Surviving a stroke can be frightening. Not only are strokes serious and often traumatizing, but they may also create long-term complications that impact an individual’s movement, speech, and daily life. At Richmond University Medical Center, patients can work toward recovery with stroke rehabilitation. At our Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center in Staten Island, New York, we deliver compassionate care that focuses on helping patients rebuild vital skills and restore their quality of life after a stroke.

What Is a Stroke?

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the brain does not receive enough oxygen, resulting in widespread cell damage and death. There are two types of strokes:

• Ischemic stroke: This type accounts for 90% of strokes and occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, typically due to a clot. The brain cannot receive enough oxygen and nutrients to support itself. Brain cells become deprived and begin to die within minutes.
• Hemorrhagic stroke: This type occurs as a result of bleeding into the brain. This may occur due to a burst aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), head injury, drug use, or other conditions. The blood puts pressure on brain cells, damaging and killing them.

Both types of stroke can be fatal without urgent medical attention. Patients experiencing a stroke should be taken to a stroke care center to be treated immediately, usually with medication or surgery. The faster the patient is treated, the better their chances of recovery.

Even after a successful treatment, a stroke can cause significant brain damage. Survivors of a minor stroke may experience only temporary consequences. A major stroke may lead to long-term disability. In either situation, a post-treatment rehabilitation plan is essential to ensure the best possible outcome.

Effects of a Stroke

Patients who survive a stroke often find that their life has been significantly altered. The long-term effects of stroke vary widely depending on what section of the brain is affected, and each patient’s symptoms are unique. Some common symptoms they may experience include:

• Speech problems: Many stroke survivors suffer aphasia (difficulty understanding language) or dysarthria (slurred or garbled speech), making it difficult to communicate.
• Vision changes: Strokes in vision processing areas of the brain may result in blurred, blackened, or double vision in one or both eyes.
• Numbness or paralysis: Many stroke survivors experience numbness, weakness, or paralysis in a specific part of the body, usually the face or one arm or leg.
• Confusion: Strokes often cause cognitive loss that leaves the patient confused and disoriented. This can be stressful, leading to agitated behavior or a tendency to lash out.
• Mood swings: The patient may also exhibit unpredictable mood swings and personality changes, often behaving very differently than they did before the stroke.
• Dizziness: If the stroke affected parts of the brain responsible for balance, they may experience vertigo, dizziness, unsteadiness, or a loss of balance.
• Clumsiness: A stroke can cause a sudden loss of muscle coordination, causing clumsiness or difficulty with precise movement. This is known as ataxia.
• Memory loss: In some cases, patients may experience memory loss or amnesia after a stroke. Memory loss occurs in varying degrees.
• Headaches: A sudden, sharp headache is often a sign of a stroke. Patients may continue to experience chronic headaches after receiving initial treatment.
• Incontinence: Some patients experience changes in bowel or urinary behavior, resulting in frequent bathroom trips or incontinence.

Living with any of these symptoms can be difficult. This is why patients should seek rehabilitative treatment. Services from the right medical center can help patients find relief.

Stroke Rehabilitation in Staten Island, NY

Stroke rehabilitation is an important part of recovery after suffering a stroke. At Richmond University Medical Center, our goals are to manage symptoms while helping the patient adjust to normal life while working around complications caused by a stroke. Rehabilitation starts as soon as possible after the patient is treated for a stroke. It can be delivered within our care unit, through outpatient therapy, or at home depending on the patient’s needs.

Stroke rehabilitation care plans are personalized to meet the patient’s unique condition and situation. Our physicians employ a combination of medically proven approaches, which may include:

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is essential to help patients recover lost abilities. Motor skill exercises focus on rebuilding strength, coordination, and balance. These may include constraint-induced therapy, where affected limbs are exercised while non-affected ones are restrained, and range-of-motion therapy, which relieves muscle tension and restores flexibility. Physical therapists may also demonstrate the use of mobility aids, like a walker, cane, or wheelchair, to help patients navigate life while relearning how to walk.

Cognitive Therapy

Strokes can also impact a patient’s cognitive function. Cognitive therapy is designed to help patients recover lost brain functions, including memory recall processing, problem-solving, decision-making, and safety awareness, which are necessary for everyday life. It also works on rebuilding social skills that may have been impacted by personality changes. Socialization and relationships are just as important to a patient’s quality of life as practical skills and should be prioritized.

Occupational Therapy

Physical and cognitive therapy takes time to work, and may not address every symptom. Occupational therapy focuses on helping patients live with their symptoms. Therapists work with patients to relearn everyday skills that are necessary for work, personal care, or fun time. Patients may also learn new skills to help them approach tasks more easily with a disability. The goal is to help patients accomplish tasks both successfully and safely, without putting themselves or others at risk of injury.

Speech-Language Pathology

Speech ability is very commonly impacted by stroke. Speech-language pathology can help patients relearn communication skills. Patients exercise their lips and tongue, practice identifying everyday objects, put task steps in order, and discuss real-life activities. They may also practice reading comprehension, writing, and numbers. Not only does this improve communication, but it also helps the patient strengthen cherished relationships and approach everyday tasks with confidence.

Recover From Stroke With Our Rehabilitative Services

If you or a loved one has recently experienced a stroke or received stroke care from Richmond University Medical Center, start rehabilitative care today. Our compassionate team delivers patient-centered treatment to help patients in Staten Island, NY, recover and live satisfying lives. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or learn more about stroke rehabilitation.