Top 10 Stroke Recovery Tips for Patients & Families

After a stroke, your brain has an incredible ability to heal itself through something called neuroplasticity—essentially, your brain’s power to reorganize and create new neural pathways to work around the damaged areas. It’s truly remarkable when you think about it.

The first three to six months after a stroke are absolutely critical. This is when your brain is at its most adaptable and responsive to rehabilitation. That said, don’t let anyone tell you that recovery stops after those initial months. With consistent practice and dedication, meaningful improvements can continue for years.

If you or someone you love is navigating stroke recovery, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed and looking for clear, practical guidance on what actually helps. That’s exactly what this guide is for.

We’re going to walk through the essential recovery strategies that can make a real difference in your rehabilitation journey—everything from the importance of early intervention to setting up your home for safety, from different therapy options to protecting your mental health along the way.

You’ll find tips on home exercises you can do between therapy sessions, how to manage risk factors to prevent another stroke, the role nutrition plays in healing, and why building a strong support network matters so much. We’ll also talk about developing the long-term mindset that helps you stay motivated even when progress feels slow.

Each tip in this guide is backed by evidence and designed to be actionable—meaning you can actually put it into practice. Our goal is to help you maximize your recovery potential while addressing not just the physical challenges you’re facing, but the cognitive and emotional ones too. Because stroke recovery isn’t just about regaining movement or speech—it’s about reclaiming your life.

Key Takeaways

  • Start intensive rehabilitation early to maximize neuroplasticity during the critical three to six month recovery window.
  • Practice therapeutic exercises daily at home to prevent learned nonuse and maintain neural pathway strength.
  • Manage stroke risk factors through medication adherence, healthy diet, exercise, and regular healthcare provider follow-ups.
  • Build comprehensive support networks including family, support groups, therapists, and professional home care nursing services.

How Your Brain Heals After a Stroke

Here’s what makes stroke recovery possible: neuroplasticity—your brain’s incredible built-in ability to rewire damaged neural connections and build new pathways around the injury. Think of it like your brain creating detours when the main road is blocked.

The most dramatic reorganization happens during those first three to six months after a stroke. This critical window is when your brain is at its most flexible and responsive, which is why intensive rehabilitation during this period is so important. Through neuroplasticity, healthy regions of your brain can actually take over responsibilities that were previously handled by the stroke-damaged areas. With repeated, purposeful practice, this adaptive process helps you regain movement, speech, thinking skills, and independence.

There’s a principle in neuroscience that explains how this works: “neurons that fire together wire together.”

Basically, every time you repeat a therapeutic exercise—whether it’s practicing a leg movement, forming words, or working on a cognitive task—you’re stimulating specific neural pathways. With each repetition, those connections get a little stronger, gradually rebuilding your brain’s ability to control the affected parts of your body and mind. This is exactly why early, intensive rehabilitation produces better outcomes than waiting or doing therapy sporadically.

Recovery Doesn’t Stop at Six Months

Now, here’s something important: while that first six months is the peak period for neuroplasticity, your recovery doesn’t end there. Progress might come more gradually after the initial window, but it absolutely continues.

Research shows that stroke survivors who stick with consistent rehabilitation exercises see measurable improvements two, three, and even five years after their stroke.

Your brain keeps its adaptive capabilities throughout your entire life. So if you’re reading this months or even years after your stroke, don’t lose hope. It’s never too late to restart therapy and work toward meaningful improvements in how you function day-to-day.

Tip #1 – Start Rehabilitation Early and Make It Intensive

Home RN helping a stroke survivor

Early rehabilitation initiation maximizes neuroplasticity by capitalizing on the brain’s heightened adaptability immediately following stroke.

Stroke survivors who begin intensive therapy within 24 to 48 hours of medical stabilization demonstrate significantly better functional outcomes than those who delay rehabilitation interventions.

The therapeutic intensity matters profoundly—research indicates that survivors receiving three to five hours of combined therapy daily show superior recovery compared to those participating in less frequent sessions.

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams provide comprehensive care addressing physical, cognitive, communication, and nutritional challenges simultaneously. Physical therapists work on mobility, balance, and strength restoration.

Occupational therapists focus on activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, and meal preparation. Speech-language pathologists address communication deficits including aphasia, dysarthria, and cognitive-linguistic impairments.

Dietitians develop nutrition plans supporting brain healing while managing swallowing difficulties and secondary stroke prevention through dietary modifications.

Inpatient rehabilitation facilities offer structured environments where stroke survivors receive around-the-clock medical supervision combined with intensive daily therapy sessions. These programs suit individuals who can actively participate in therapy but require significant assistance with basic mobility and self-care tasks.

Alternatively, outpatient rehabilitation programs serve stroke survivors with sufficient independence to travel to therapy appointments while living at home. The choice between settings depends on stroke severity, functional independence level, family support availability, and insurance coverage.

The concept of constraint-induced movement therapy illustrates intensive rehabilitation’s power—this approach restricts the unaffected limb while forcing repetitive use of the affected arm or leg for six hours daily over two weeks.

Research demonstrates that this concentrated practice produces dramatic improvements in motor function by compelling the brain to rewire neural pathways controlling the impaired limb. Similar principles apply across all rehabilitation domains: intensive, focused practice drives neural reorganization and functional recovery.

Note: How long does stroke rehab take? Read our article on the stroke recovery timeline.

Tip #2 – Commit to Consistent, Repetitive Practice at Home

Consistent daily practice prevents learned nonuse, a condition where the brain essentially forgets how to use affected limbs due to prolonged neglect.

Stroke survivors must perform therapeutic exercises at home between formal therapy sessions to maintain neural pathway activation and prevent functional regression.

The brain prioritizes frequently-used connections while pruning underutilized pathways, making regular practice essential for preserving and advancing rehabilitation gains.

Massed practice—the clinical term for high-repetition exercise—provides the intensive stimulation required for neural rewiring. Studies demonstrate that stroke survivors performing 300 to 400 repetitions of specific movements daily show superior motor recovery compared to those completing fewer repetitions.

This repetition count sounds daunting initially, but breaking exercises into multiple short sessions throughout the day makes the volume manageable while maintaining the neuroplastic stimulus.

Home exercise programs should target specific deficits identified by therapists through standardized assessments like the Fugl-Meyer Assessment or the Action Research Arm Test.

For example, survivors struggling with hand dexterity might practice picking up small objects, manipulating buttons, or using adaptive eating utensils. Those working on gait training might practice sit-to-stand transfers, balance exercises, and walking with appropriate assistive devices.

Also consider brain exercises. Brain exercises and brain games, so to speak, help with your cognitive functioning and abilities, which is crucial at this point in time.

Speech therapy exercises might include articulation drills, word-finding games, or conversation practice with family members.

Digital therapy applications provide adaptive exercise programs that adjust difficulty based on performance, ensuring appropriate challenge levels as function improves.

These tools offer advantages over static printed exercise plans by tracking progress, providing immediate feedback, and maintaining engagement through interactive features.

Apps like Constant Therapy, Lingraphica, and similar platforms deliver evidence-based exercises targeting speech, language, cognitive, and motor impairments. However, technology supplements rather than replaces therapist guidance—professional supervision ensures exercises remain appropriate and effective as recovery progresses.

Tip #3 – Understand and Manage Your Stroke Risk Factors

Elderly stroke victim on an exercise bike

Secondary stroke risk increases dramatically following an initial cerebrovascular accident, with survivors facing 15 times higher risk during the first three months post-stroke.

Recognizing warning signs through the F.A.S.T. assessment—Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services—enables rapid intervention that dramatically improves outcomes. Every family member and caregiver should memorize these indicators and understand that immediate medical attention within the crucial three to four hour window allows for clot-busting medications or mechanical thrombectomy procedures.

Controllable risk factors offer powerful prevention opportunities through lifestyle modifications. High blood pressure damages arterial walls, promoting atherosclerosis—plaque buildup that narrows blood vessels and increases clot formation risk.

Managing hypertension through medication adherence, sodium reduction, potassium-rich foods, stress management, and regular physical activity significantly reduces recurrent stroke likelihood. Similarly, controlling diabetes through blood sugar monitoring, dietary modifications, and prescribed medications protects blood vessels from glucose-related damage.

Lifestyle interventions address multiple risk factors simultaneously. Regular aerobic exercise—walking, swimming, cycling—strengthens cardiovascular function, reduces blood pressure, improves cholesterol profiles, and helps maintain healthy body weight.

A Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats from olive oil and nuts provides anti-inflammatory compounds and essential nutrients supporting vascular health. Smoking cessation eliminates a major risk factor, as tobacco use doubles stroke risk through multiple mechanisms including increased blood clotting tendency and arterial damage.

Medication adherence forms the foundation of secondary prevention strategies.

Antiplatelet agents like aspirin or clopidogrel reduce blood clot formation. Anticoagulants prevent clots in patients with atrial fibrillation. Statins lower cholesterol and stabilize arterial plaques. Blood pressure medications control hypertension. Taking prescribed medications consistently, understanding their purposes, and communicating with healthcare providers about side effects or concerns ensures optimal protection against recurrent stroke.

Tip #4 – Embrace That Every Recovery Journey Is Unique

Stroke location determines specific functional deficits—left hemisphere strokes typically affect language, logical thinking, and right-side movement, while right hemisphere strokes impact spatial perception, attention, and left-side mobility. Recovery outcomes vary dramatically based on stroke type (ischemic versus hemorrhagic), affected brain region, lesion size, pre-existing health conditions, age, and individual neuroplasticity capacity.

Understanding your unique deficit pattern helps set realistic expectations while preventing discouraging comparisons with other survivors whose circumstances differ significantly.

Personalized rehabilitation plans address individual challenges through targeted interventions. A comprehensive assessment evaluates motor function, sensation, vision, swallowing, communication, cognition, and emotional status. Therapists use standardized tools like the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Modified Rankin Scale, and Barthel Index to quantify impairments and track progress objectively. These measurements guide goal-setting and treatment planning, ensuring therapy addresses the most limiting deficits while building on preserved capabilities.

Goal-setting should follow SMART principles—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, rather than “improve walking,” a SMART goal states “walk 50 feet with a quad cane and minimal assistance within six weeks.” This specificity provides clear targets, enables progress monitoring, and creates meaningful milestones celebrating along the recovery journey. Working collaboratively with therapists ensures goals remain appropriately challenging without becoming frustratingly unrealistic.

Celebrating small victories maintains motivation during the lengthy recovery process. Progress might manifest as holding a cup independently, speaking a complete sentence without word-finding difficulty, or taking three additional steps without rest. These incremental improvements represent significant neural reorganization and functional gains deserving recognition.

Maintaining a recovery journal documenting achievements, no matter how minor they seem, provides tangible evidence of progress during plateaus when advancement feels stagnant.

Tip #5 – Create a Safe, Accessible Home Environment

Installing a hand bar in the bathroom

Fall prevention ranks as a critical safety priority for stroke survivors, as balance deficits, weakness, sensory impairments, and spatial neglect significantly increase injury risk. Home modifications recommended by occupational or physical therapists reduce fall hazards by 60 percent while supporting independence and confidence during daily activities.

A professional home safety assessment identifies specific environmental barriers and recommends tailored modifications addressing individual mobility limitations and safety concerns.

Essential modifications include installing grab bars near toilets, in showers, and along hallways where balance challenges occur most frequently. Non-slip mats in bathtubs and shower stalls prevent dangerous falls on wet surfaces. Removing throw rugs eliminates tripping hazards, while ensuring adequate lighting throughout the home improves visibility for stroke survivors with visual field deficits or reduced depth perception. Rearranging furniture creates wide, unobstructed pathways accommodating walkers, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids.

Bathroom adaptations provide particular safety benefits, as this space poses significant fall risks during transfers and personal care activities. Raised toilet seats reduce the distance required for sit-to-stand transfers, lessening demands on weakened leg muscles.

Walk-in showers with built-in seating eliminate dangerous step-overs required with traditional bathtubs. Handheld showerheads allow washing while seated, reducing balance challenges. Placing frequently-used items at accessible heights eliminates dangerous reaching or bending movements.

Core strengthening and balance exercises complement environmental modifications by addressing the underlying physical deficits causing fall risk. Physical therapists prescribe exercises targeting hip abductors, ankle stabilizers, and trunk muscles essential for maintaining upright posture and responding to balance perturbations. Activities like standing on foam surfaces, weight shifting, and tandem walking challenge the vestibular system and proprioceptive awareness. Regular practice of these exercises, combined with proper home modifications, creates a comprehensive fall prevention strategy.

Tip #6 – Explore Different Therapy Approaches and Find What Works

Traditional rehabilitation therapies form the evidence-based foundation of stroke recovery, but emerging techniques offer additional options when conventional approaches plateau. Physical therapy restores mobility through gait training, strength building, and balance exercises, while occupational therapy focuses on activities of daily living including dressing, bathing, cooking, and home management tasks. Speech-language pathology addresses communication disorders, swallowing difficulties, and cognitive-linguistic impairments affecting reading comprehension, writing, and verbal expression.

Innovative approaches expand therapeutic possibilities. Constraint-induced movement therapy forces use of the affected upper extremity by restraining the unaffected arm, compelling neural reorganization through intensive repetitive practice. Mirror therapy creates visual feedback illusions that activate motor cortex regions controlling paralyzed limbs, facilitating movement recovery.

Virtual reality rehabilitation systems provide engaging, game-based exercises that maintain motivation while delivering high repetition counts necessary for neuroplastic changes. Aquatic therapy utilizes water’s buoyancy to support weakened limbs, enabling movement practice impossible on land.

Technology-assisted interventions leverage electrical stimulation, robotics, and brain-computer interfaces. Functional electrical stimulation applies targeted muscle contractions during functional tasks, re-teaching the brain proper movement patterns. Robotic exoskeletons support body weight during gait training, allowing walking practice before independent ambulation becomes possible.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation or transcranial direct current stimulation may enhance neuroplasticity when combined with traditional therapy, though these techniques remain primarily research-based with limited clinical availability.

Experimentation under therapist guidance identifies which approaches produce optimal results for individual deficits. One survivor might respond exceptionally to constraint-induced therapy, while another benefits more from bilateral arm training or task-specific practice. The willingness to try different methods, combined with objective progress monitoring, ensures rehabilitation remains effective as recovery advances. When progress plateaus with one approach, switching techniques provides novel neural stimulation that may restart functional improvements.

Tip #7 – Prioritize Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being

A stroke survivor prioritizing mental health

Post-stroke depression affects 30 to 50 percent of survivors, significantly impeding physical rehabilitation by reducing motivation, energy, and therapy participation. Psychological challenges including anxiety, grief over lost abilities, fear of recurrence, and adjustment disorders require professional attention through psychotherapy, support groups, or psychiatric medication when appropriate. Mental health directly impacts recovery outcomes—survivors receiving psychological support demonstrate superior functional gains compared to those with untreated emotional difficulties.

Psychotherapy provides a safe space for processing the profound life changes following stroke. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps identify and modify negative thought patterns that perpetuate depression and anxiety. Acceptance and commitment therapy teaches psychological flexibility and value-driven behavior despite physical limitations.

Supportive counseling offers validation, coping strategies, and perspective during the challenging adjustment period. Many stroke survivors benefit from grief counseling addressing losses of independence, career, hobbies, or identity following their cerebrovascular accident.

Stress management techniques support emotional regulation and reduce cortisol levels that impair healing. Mindfulness meditation trains attention on present-moment experiences without judgment, reducing rumination about past abilities or future uncertainties.

Deep breathing exercises activate parasympathetic nervous system responses, counteracting stress-induced physiological arousal. Progressive muscle relaxation systematically releases tension held in the body. Regular practice of these techniques—even five to ten minutes daily—produces measurable improvements in anxiety, depression, and overall emotional well-being.

Self-confidence often diminishes following a stroke as survivors confront physical limitations and dependency on others for basic care.

Rebuilding self-esteem requires acknowledging progress, practicing self-compassion, and setting achievable goals that demonstrate improving capabilities. Engaging in meaningful activities—even adapted versions of previous hobbies—restores sense of purpose and identity beyond “stroke patient.” Connecting with other survivors through support groups normalizes emotional struggles and provides inspiration from those further along the recovery journey.

Note: Learn more about the relationship between stress and strokes.

Tip #8 – Fuel Your Recovery with Proper Nutrition and Sleep

Brain healing requires specific nutrients supporting cellular repair, neurotransmitter synthesis, and anti-inflammatory processes. A Mediterranean-style diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from fish, antioxidants from colorful vegetables and berries, and B vitamins from whole grains provides optimal nutritional support for neuroplasticity and recovery. Conversely, diets high in saturated fats, added sugars, and processed foods impair neural plasticity while promoting inflammation that hinders healing.

Specific foods demonstrate particular benefits. As we mentioned earlier, fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines provide omega-3 fatty acids—DHA and EPA—essential for neuronal membrane health and anti-inflammatory signaling. Dark leafy greens supply folate, vitamin K, and antioxidants protecting brain cells from oxidative stress. Berries contain flavonoids that enhance memory and cognitive function. Nuts and seeds provide vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy fats supporting neural health. Whole grains offer sustained energy and B vitamins crucial for neurotransmitter production.

Stroke survivors with dysphagia—swallowing difficulty—require modified food textures and specialized feeding strategies developed by speech-language pathologists and dietitians. Pureed, ground, or soft-consistency diets prevent aspiration while ensuring adequate nutrition. Thickened liquids reduce choking risk for individuals with impaired swallow coordination. Positioning during meals, smaller bite sizes, and compensatory swallowing techniques maximize safety. As swallowing function improves through therapy, diet textures advance progressively toward normal consistency foods.

Quality sleep facilitates memory consolidation, clears metabolic waste from the brain, and optimizes conditions for neural repair. Research demonstrates that stroke survivors obtaining seven to eight hours nightly show superior motor learning and functional recovery compared to sleep-deprived individuals. Sleep disturbances—insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs—require medical evaluation and treatment, as poor sleep significantly impairs rehabilitation progress. Establishing consistent sleep schedules, creating restful bedroom environments, and practicing good sleep hygiene supports the restorative processes essential for recovery.

Tip #9 – Build Your Support Network and Consider Professional Home Care

Family involvement profoundly impacts stroke recovery outcomes through emotional support, exercise encouragement, and assistance with daily activities. Caregivers who receive education about stroke effects, rehabilitation principles, and proper assistance techniques enable survivors to practice functional tasks safely while preventing learned nonuse through excessive help.

However, caregiver burden remains a significant concern—family members providing care experience high rates of depression, anxiety, and physical health problems requiring attention through respite care and support services.

Stroke support groups connect survivors and caregivers with others facing similar challenges, reducing isolation while providing practical advice and emotional validation. The American Stroke Association sponsors local support groups nationwide, offering in-person meetings and online communities. These peer connections normalize the emotional roller coaster of recovery, demonstrate that progress is possible, and create meaningful friendships with others who truly understand the stroke experience. Many survivors report that support groups provide hope and motivation impossible to find elsewhere.

Professional home care services bridge the gap between hospital discharge and full independence, providing crucial support during vulnerable recovery periods. Private duty nurses from agencies like NurseRegistry offer skilled care including medication management, vital sign monitoring, wound care, and therapy exercise supervision. Licensed vocational nurses and certified nursing assistants provide personal care assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, and mobility while encouraging maximum independence. Home health aides support light housekeeping, meal preparation, and transportation to medical appointments.

Determining appropriate support levels requires honest assessment of survivor capabilities and caregiver capacity. Professional care allows family members to maintain their caregiving role without overwhelming responsibilities that lead to burnout. It ensures safety when survivors require more assistance than families can provide alone.

Many insurance plans, including Medicare, cover home health services when medically necessary, making professional support accessible. Consulting with hospital discharge planners, social workers, or care management services helps identify available resources and coordinate comprehensive support systems.

Tip #10 – Maintain a Long-Term Recovery Mindset

best stroke recovery tips

Stroke recovery continues for years, requiring sustained commitment to rehabilitation exercises and healthy lifestyle practices. The recovery plateau occurring around three months post-stroke represents not an end to improvement but a transition from rapid spontaneous recovery to slower, effort-dependent gains requiring persistent practice.

Studies document continued functional improvements in stroke survivors maintaining regular therapy participation five, ten, even fifteen years post-stroke, demonstrating that dedicated effort produces ongoing benefits throughout life.

The “one percent improvement” philosophy prevents burnout by focusing on small, sustainable daily progress rather than overwhelming transformation goals. Improving just one percent daily—whether increased repetitions, additional steps, or slightly clearer speech—compounds dramatically over months and years. This approach maintains motivation by celebrating incremental victories while avoiding the frustration and exhaustion that accompany unrealistic expectations. Consistency matters more than intensity when viewed across the recovery timeline.

Avoiding the nocebo effect—negative outcomes resulting from negative expectations—requires maintaining curious openness about recovery potential despite pessimistic prognoses. While medical professionals provide important guidance on stroke recovery, individual outcomes often exceed statistical predictions.

Countless stroke survivors achieve functional gains physicians considered impossible by persistently pursuing rehabilitation despite discouraging prognostications. Skepticism toward limitations, combined with evidence-based rehabilitation approaches, creates the optimal mindset for maximizing individual recovery potential.

Visualization techniques borrowed from elite athletics enhance rehabilitation outcomes by activating motor cortex regions similar to physical practice. Mentally rehearsing specific movements—reaching for objects, taking steps, forming words—creates neural activation patterns supporting actual movement execution. Research demonstrates that combining physical practice with mental imagery produces superior outcomes compared to physical practice alone. Spending five to ten minutes daily visualizing successful movement performance complements therapeutic exercises while maintaining motivation through positive mental rehearsal.

Bonus: Reddit Stroke Recovery Tips

Here are a few comments and thoughts regarding stroke recovery suggestions from Reddit:

Look out for depression signs and act on these as soon as practicality possible. Same with vision issues. Treat these as soon as you would the other therapies such as OT, PT, Speech, etc. stay as social as practically possible. – IvanCarbonel

Write everything down in a daily journal…doc/nurse/med changes/therapies…anything you can. – Maybeapotter

Figure out your fatigue limits if you’ve been affected by post-stroke fatigue and work within them – work to tiredness not fatigue to expand the limits and don’t beat yourself up if you do wind up in fatigue, just keep trying. – Deep-Membership-9258

Moving Forward: Your Next Steps on the Recovery Journey

Stroke recovery demands comprehensive attention to rehabilitation intensity, home exercise consistency, risk factor management, individualized planning, environmental safety, therapeutic diversity, mental health, nutrition optimization, support networks, and sustained commitment.

These ten evidence-based stroke recovery tips provide the foundation for maximizing recovery potential while navigating the physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges following cerebrovascular accident. Success requires patience, persistence, and willingness to seek appropriate support when needed.

NurseRegistry understands the unique challenges stroke survivors and their families face during recovery. That is why we are proud to offer after-stroke care.

Private duty nurses provide expert care supporting rehabilitation goals while ensuring safety and preventing complications. Whether you need skilled nursing supervision, therapy exercise assistance, or personal care support, we connect you with compassionate professionals who deliver personalized services designed around your specific needs and recovery timeline.

Contact NurseRegistry today to discuss how professional home care services can support your stroke recovery journey. Additional resources include the American Stroke Association’s support group directory, hospital rehabilitation programs, and community wellness centers offering adaptive exercise classes for stroke survivors. Recovery is possible—with the right support, dedication, and evidence-based strategies, you can work toward regaining independence and rebuilding your life after a stroke.

People Also Ask About Stroke Recovery

How to Recover from a Stroke Faster?

To recover quickly from a stroke, begin rehabilitation immediately (physical, occupational, and speech therapy) to capitalize on the brain’s natural healing (neuroplasticity), particularly in the first 90 days, by actively participating in exercises, taking prescribed medications, eating a brain-healthy diet, staying active, managing stress, and maintaining social connections, all while closely following up with your medical team to avoid another stroke.

What Can You Not Do After a Stroke?

After a stroke, avoid high-impact activities, strenuous exertion that strains the heart, unapproved exercises such as shoulder pulleys (due to pain/contracture risk), smoking, excessive alcohol, high-sodium/sugar diets, ignoring mental health, and failing to follow prescribed medications or a structured home exercise plan, as these all impede recovery or increase the risk of a second stroke; instead, focus on physician-approved, gentle movement and lifestyle changes.

How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Stroke?

Stroke recovery varies greatly, with the most rapid improvements occurring within the first few weeks to six months, but significant progress can last for one to two years or even longer, depending on stroke severity, individual factors, and intensive therapy, with some people fully recovering while others face long-term challenges. Full recovery is dependent on factors such as stroke type, severity, age, other health issues, and consistent rehabilitation that leverages the brain’s ability to rewire itself.

What Are Bad Signs After a Stroke?

In the final days and hours, they may become drowsy, sleep excessively, or lose consciousness. They may stop eating and drinking or experience difficulty swallowing. They can appear confused or agitated. Their breathing patterns can shift and become less regular.

The post Top 10 Stroke Recovery Tips for Patients & Families appeared first on NurseRegistry.

from NurseRegistry https://ift.tt/riz4jtw

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Is Freezing a Symptom of Alzheimer’s?

Is Parkinson’s Disease Fatal?

Overcoming Barriers to Interdepartmental Communication in Nursing