After a Stroke

A stroke can sometimes change the way a person moves and can affect part of the brain that causes muscle weakness, jerky movements or problems with coordination. That’s why it’s important to develop a long-term treatment plan after any stroke, aneurysm or other neurovascular condition that could impact your brain or physical functioning. CHI Memorial’s goal is to get you back to your normal life and the activities you enjoy. 

Every patient treated for stroke at CHI Memorial has access to physical, speech and occupational therapy evaluations to determine appropriate support services. 

• Physical therapy can help improve strength and regain movement
• Speech therapy can help restore speech and language deficits 
• Occupational therapy helps teach skills needed for everyday living 

Stroke rehabilitation may also mean more aggressively managing blood pressure and cholesterol and taking aspirin or other medications. After being released from the hospital, patients are referred to a neurologist and receive follow up care to ensure they have everything needed to fully recover. This may mean an inpatient rehabilitation program, home-based rehab or outpatient rehabilitation therapy. 

CHI Memorial’s goal is to fully support patients along their entire journey from stroke to recovery, both while they’re in the hospital and after they have left – ensuring patients have access to the resources and support to make their transitions as safe and seamless as possible. 

While up to 80% of strokes are preventable, about one in four stroke survivors are at high risk for another stroke if not managed properly. We also know that 20% of people who experience transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) will go on to have a stroke in the next three months, and 40% will have one within one year.  These alarming statistics underscore the importance of proper stroke prevention for people at high stroke risk.  The great news is that with the right medical team on your side, patients can significantly reduce their chance of stroke. 

CHI Memorial’s Outpatient Stroke team is eager to work with your family to develop the exact long-term treatment plan to best assure your future safety from stroke. Our in-hospital stroke team will coordinate your follow-up care with the outpatient clinic – to understand the nature of your stroke and design a treatment plan to address your stroke risk factors. If appropriate, your coordinated stroke evaluation and treatment may require involvement of other highly trained specialists including cardiology, vascular surgery, or others.   

For more information about stroke care at CHI Memorial, call (423) 206.4140. For more information about stroke care at CHI Memorial, call (423) 206.4140. 

After a stroke, many survivors and caregivers face new challenges – from cognitive deficits and loss of functional abilities to depression and adjusting to a new normal. A stroke support group can play an important role in stroke recovery, sharing effective coping skills, providing tools for addressing psychological stress, and serving as an outlet for stroke survivors and their families. These support groups also provide a sense of community that can help individuals create meaningful lives after stroke.  Learn more