Stroke Recovery: Tips for the Caregiver

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We should be aware of the medications that have been prescribed to our loved one and their side effects. Ask whether our home should be modified to meet the specific needs of the stroke survivor. Ask a doctor, nurse or therapist to provide written information that explains what occurs after the stroke and during recovery or rehabilitation.

If the treatment recommendations are not followed, the survivors who have had one stroke are at high risk of having another one. Be sure that they eat a healthy diet, takes medications as prescribed, exercises, and has regular visits with their physician to help prevent a second stroke.

Recovery depends on many different factors: where in the brain the stroke occurred, how much of the brain was affected, caregiver support, the quantity and quality of rehabilitation, the patient’s motivation, and how healthy the survivor was before the stroke.  Avoid comparisons, because every stroke and stroke survivor is unique.

During the first three to four months after a stroke, the most rapid recovery usually occurs, but some stroke survivors continue to recover well into the first and second-year post-stroke.

If the patient has any of these complaints like dizziness; imbalance that results in falls, difficulty walking or moving around in daily life; inability to walk six minutes without stopping to rest; inability to do things that they enjoy like recreational activities or outings with family or increased need for help to engage in daily activities, caregivers should consider seeking assistance from a physical or occupational therapist.

Falls after stroke are common. If a fall is serious and results in severe pain, bruising or bleeding, go to the Emergency Department for treatment. If they experience minor falls (with no injury) that occur more than two times within six months, see the physician or the physical therapist for treatment.

How much acute rehabilitation therapy patient receives depends partly on the rate of improvement. Stroke survivors on an acute rehabilitation unit are expected to make measurable functional gains every week as measured by the Functional Independence Measure Score (FIMS). Functional improvements include activities of daily living skills, mobility skills, and communication skills.


Post-stroke depression is common, with as many as 30–50 percent of stroke survivors developing depression in the early or later phases post stroke. Post-stroke depression can significantly affect the patient's recovery and rehabilitation.  Consult a physician to develop a plan of action.

AVA Rehabilitation center, a future center of excellence, provides comprehensive patient-centered,neuro-rehabilitation care for persons who suffered a stroke, brain, and spinal injuries.

Stroke Rehabilitation Centers in Cochin, Stroke Rehabilitation Centers in Cochin Kerala, Stroke Rehabilitation Centers in Ernakulam, Stroke Rehabilitation Centers in Kerala, 

Location: Kochi, Kerala, India

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