Stroke rehabilitation needs are determined by your doctor and usually begins in the hospital. The type of stroke rehabilitation you need will depend upon the severity of your stroke. The timing of rehabilitation is very important and stroke rehabilitation often begins the moment your condition has stabilized.

Stroke rehabilitation is vital for building not only your confidence, but physical strength, endurance levels and coordination. Frequently in stroke rehabilitation it is not uncommon to have to re-learn basic skills:

• walking
• talking
• eating
• dressing yourself
• general self-care

After a stroke, the care you receive and give yourself is critical and the amount of effort you put into re-learning to do the things you could do prior to your stroke will set the foundation for your stroke rehabilitation recovery.

The goal of stroke rehabilitation is to reach the highest level of personal productivity and independence. Recovery times vary with each individual and your own stroke rehabilitation usually continues long after you have left the hospital. Ask your doctor what to expect from your individual stroke rehabilitation program.