Strokes happen in the blink of an eye. Our skilled therapists respond efficiently and effectively to help patients move toward a comprehensive recovery.

Features of our stroke care include:

• Therapy 5-7 days per week
• Support group for stroke survivors
• Contracts with specialty services such as labs, imaging and more
• Collaboration with regional and community centers for services
• Patient-centered model of care
• Access to ongoing support groups for stroke survivors

A stroke can make moving around your home and community difficult. You might not be able to walk fast enough, far enough or climb stairs. It can increase your risk of falls and injury. After a stroke, Physical Therapists (PT) work with you to regain independence in your ability to move.

Your PT will help you relearn or find new ways to do things, including:

• Get in and out of bed
• Get on and off a chair
• Walk or use a wheelchair, if needed
• Go up and down stairs
• Get in and out of a car
• Get up, if you fall

A stroke can make daily activities hard to do, including dressing yourself, getting on/off toilet or in/out of shower, cooking a meal, driving or managing medications.

After a stroke, occupational therapists work with you to regain independence in performing your Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s). This includes:

• Relearning how to do everyday activities the way you previously did
• Learning new ways to do everyday activities with compensatory techniques
• Relearning how to use your arm if it’s been affected by the stroke
• Assessing your safety for managing your medications, cooking and driving and making recommendations for return to these activities.

A stroke can impair your ability to engage in community activities and leisure pursuits. Aside from the physical changes that can occur from stroke, you may also experience changes to your vision, cognition, insight, safety or judgement.

Recreation therapy bridges the gaps to independence through:

• Helping you participate in leisure activities you enjoy
• Successful transition back home and into the community

Our team can help patients experiencing:

• Dysarthria - “slurred speech” from muscle control/strength in mouth
• Apraxia - problems motor planning movements of limbs or mouth
• Dysphagia - swallowing difficulty

Rehab nurses are here 24/7, attending to your medical and personal needs and coordinating with the team. Many have specialty rehab-specific certifications, as well as training in wound care and diabetes.

Case managers are nurses who oversee your total stay. They will follow your progress and coordinate your discharge plan and your discharge needs, including referrals to community resources, when needed. They also understand your insurance benefits and seek authorization, when needed.

After an illness or injury, it is important that your dietary needs are evaluated to ensure proper healing. Dieticians will make recommendations to meet your individual nutritional needs and provide education and training, when necessary.

Your journey begins on day one at Providence St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Medical Center with evaluations by our rehab team. You will be greeted by several new faces your first few days, including rehab doctors, nurses, therapists, case managers, dieticians and pharmacists.

Your team will work with you to determine how the stroke has affected you and identify areas of strength and challenge, to help you determine your goals for rehab. Together, we will develop a personalized plan of care to help you meet your rehab goals and work together to get you home as soon as possible.

During your rehab stay, most patients will complete three hours of therapy at least five days a week. With our individualized approach, we can modify your treatment sessions to allow you to participate at a level you can tolerate. We encourage friends and family to participate in therapy sessions to see the progress you’re making and the support you may need.

Although there are common symptoms associated with the location a stroke occurs in the brain, every stroke survivor’s recovery is unique. A significant amount of recovery is done within the first six months to a year after a stroke. Your brain can adapt and build new connections after a stroke. This process thrives on challenges and success. Our rehab team specializes in stroke rehabilitation and providing the “just-right challenge” to help you regain your independence. We work with you and your family to find challenges that are meaningful to you and continually adapt them as you make progress and recover from the stroke.

Our stroke program utilizes innovative technology and evidenced-based medical and therapy interventions, including:

• Zero-G body-weight support system
• Lokomat robotic-assisted walking device
• Dynavision D2 hand/eye coordination and visual awareness retraining
• Neofect Smart Glove to improve arm and hand function
• Saebo Mobile Arm Support to assist with arm function
• Driving simulator
• On-road driving evaluations and training with specially-adapted vehicle
• St. Luke’s Community for real world practice of everyday skills
• Aquatic therapy
• Daily stroke education classes
• Community outings with recreational therapists
• In-person and virtual home evaluations
• Hands-on caregiver and family training

Returning home after a stroke can be both exciting and worrisome. Your rehab team will meet weekly to discuss discharge planning and work with you and your support team to ease your transition back home and to the community. Our rehab team will collaborate with you to solve any barriers to returning home safely. This includes:

• Determining your estimated discharge date
• Recommendations for assistance at home and training caregivers/family to support your independence
• Referrals for follow-up medical care
• Referrals for follow-up therapy to continue your rehab progress
• Assistance in obtaining specialized medical equipment for home (such as wheelchairs, walkers or shower chairs)
• Arranging community services for home (meal delivery, caregiver services, transportation)

Your rehab doctor will determine what follow up medical appointments are required, and St. Luke’s will schedule them for after discharge.

Many stroke survivors are affected by emotional and mood changes. Feelings of frustration, depression and helplessness can all be part of a normal range of emotions. We want to make sure they aren’t getting in the way of participation in your therapies and motivation to recover from your stroke.

Our rehab psychologists will visit you during your stay and are available anytime you need them. Ask any of your caregivers anytime if you would like to talk with one, or a chaplain.

St. Luke's offers a support group for patients who have suffered from a stroke and their family members and caregivers.

The group meets 3-4 p.m. every third Thursday of the month. Please call the support group hotline to learn more or register: 509-473-6681.

For more information about our support groups and to sign up, visit our Support Services page.