Life After Stroke: How Occupational Therapy Helps

occupational therapy after stroke

Occupational therapy helps people regain life skills and independence after a medical event, such as a stroke or heart attack, accident, such as a fall or motor vehicle crash, or the development of a chronic condition, such as multiple sclerosis or arthritis.

If you or a loved one are dealing with the aftermath of a stroke, here’s how the OT team at Wooster Community Hospital can help.

WHAT IS A STROKE?

A stroke is an episode of ischemia, or blood flow blockage, to the brain. It occurs when a blood vessel ruptures or a blood clot impedes circulation.

Stroke is a medical emergency, because it may cause death or varying kinds of disability, such as speech deficiencies, vision loss, limb paralysis, and more. While the after effects of a stroke can be life altering for both the patient and loved ones, rehabilitation is possible for this all-too-common cerebrovascular event.

Typically, stroke care involves the input of many kinds of healthcare professionals. In other words, recovery requires a multidisciplinary approach. This is the specialty of WCH’s Primary Stroke Center in Wooster, OH.

The Stroke Center provides both acute and continuing care for the medical effects of stroke. Occupational therapy is just one of the many aspects of stroke care our caring and experienced team offers.

WHAT DEFICITS CAN A STROKE CAUSE?

Strokes can cause long-term problems with overall health and daily function. These include:

  • Vision loss
  • Paralysis
  • Dizziness
  • Poor coordination and balance
  • Bowel or bladder incontinence
  • Difficulties with ambulation and activities of daily living, such as toileting, bathing, eating, and dressing

HOW CAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY HELP AFTER A STROKE?

Stroke treatment seeks to re-establish the damaged connections between the brain, nerves, and muscles. When this is not possible, therapy centers around learning new ways to do a number of daily tasks – things such as:

  • Speaking and communicating
  • Walking
  • Dressing
  • Eating
  • Toileting
  • Bathing
  • Writing

Ultimately, patients will return to their home, work, and school – in other words, their normal daily routines. They need to learn how to function as independently as possible. As such, safety, independence, and mobility are paramount in any stroke care plan. This is where occupational therapy comes in.

OT at Wooster Community Hospital is a positive, forward-looking experience for stroke patients. Our team helps each individual toward optimal functionality by teaching them how to:

  • Increase motor and cognitive skills, including walking, grasping, lifting, memory, sequencing, and more
  • Accomplish activities of daily living (ADLs) differently when the usual motor pathways are damaged
  • Use durable medical equipment (DME) such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs and braces to support, strengthen, improve balance, and more
  • Exercise to improve endurance, strength, balance, coordination, and agility
  • Restructure the home environment to improve safety and to ease ambulation and self-care tasks in the bathroom, bedroom, and other areas of the home
  • Make step by step progress in their long-term rehabilitation

WOOSTER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL’S HEALTHPOINT HEALTH & WELLNESS FACILITY

Stroke impacts millions of American adults and their families every year. For those in the Wooster, OH, area, the Wooster Community Hospital’s Primary Stroke Center offers excellent care in a warm, comforting environment. Rehabilitation after a stroke is possible – and we will be honored to help you achieve it.

For more information about our occupational therapy program, call us at (330) 202-3300, or request an appointment online.