Treatment for CVA patients

Patients who have experienced a CVA may show varying degrees of disability. The type of deficits which result depends on which side of the brain the injury occurred. For example, a person who has had a right-sided stroke may experience difficulties in perception, vision and memory. A left-sided stroke may result in difficulty with vision, listening, speaking, reading and writing. Damage on either side can cause weakness or paralysis of the opposite arm and/or leg and may cause difficulties with swallowing.

The treatment team evaluates the patient's abilities and then designs an individualized rehabilitation program which will help him reach his goals in an efficient manner. The team considers many factors in establishing each patient's goals such as the patient's age, previous health condition and discharge destination. Each week, the patient's progress is assessed in the areas of medical management, self-care skills, mobility skills, communication and cognition.

A physiatrist (a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation) leads our interdisciplinary rehabilitation team. Through frequent contact with the patient and team members, the physiatrist can watch for any complications that may arise and closely monitor the rehabilitation progress to help maximize program effectiveness. If further evaluation of a patient is needed, the physiatrist and other consulting physician specialists are available to assess and manage the patient's medical needs. The patient's specific needs determine the composition of the rehabilitation team. In addition to a physiatrist, care coordinator, social worker and rehabilitation nurses, the team may include a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, clinical nutrition specialist, neuropsychologist, psychologist, therapeutic recreation therapist, aquatic specialist and chaplain.

Patient/ Family Support
The rehabilitation team encourages family members to participate in therapy sessions and in day and evening activities. We find that strong family support facilitates the rehabilitation process.

Patients and their families may also benefit from various support services. Individualized counseling by a psychologist is available for patients when necessary. Families may participate in family support group meetings where they can discuss coping mechanisms, stress reduction, as well as voice any concerns they may be experiencing. Working with each other, members learn to deal with the issues they face when they re-enter the community.