Stroke affects everybody differently, and it is difficult to say how much of a recovery is possible. Many stroke survivors experience the most dramatic recovery during their stay in hospital in the weeks after their stroke.
But many stroke survivors continue to improve over a longer time, sometimes over a number of years. Their recovery is in fact a long period of rehabilitation, as they learn to deal with the effects the stroke has had on them.
Rehabilitation is about getting back to normal life and living as independent a life as possible. It involves taking an active approach to ensuring that life goes on for people who have had a stroke. This can mean helping them to acquire new skills or relearn old ones. It may involve helping them adapt to the limitations caused by stroke. Or it can mean helping them find social, emotional and practical support.
This section explains the wide range of activity that contributes to rehabilitation. It sets out: * the importance of a positive attitude, * how family and carers can help, * the role of different health professionals, and * information about financial support.
It also gives information about getting support in the wider community, including services offered by the Stroke Association, and getting back to day-to-day life.
Getting back to day-to-day life
Stroke affects everybody differently, and people recover from stroke at different rates. So it is impossible to say immediately after a stroke if or when a person will be able to return to the day-to-day life that they lived previously.
Going back to work
Your GP or a member of the stroke care team will help decide if you are well enough to work. But you should also discuss options with your employer, including whether you want to go back to work full time, part time or if you could take on a new post within the same organisation.
You can also talk to an Employment Advisor at a local Jobcentre Plus, who will give advice about