Home after stroke: Stroke recovery tips and resources for you

You’ve recently experienced a stroke, gone through a hospitalization and possibly rehab, and are now home again to continue your stroke recovery journey. You may be thinking to yourself…now what? It may seem like a daunting task, re-learning how to navigate your environment now that the way your brain processes information is different than it was before you had to go to the hospital. Everyday tasks, such as remembering where you put the keys or keeping on top of your schedule, may seem monumental now, and you may feel alone in this struggle. This is the side of stroke recovery that may not have been discussed by your physicians or rehab team.

Fortunately, Constant Therapy is here to help you navigate this new way of life, no matter what part of your stroke recovery journey you find yourself on. Many resources may be available to you in your local community that you may not have thought of or didn’t know existed. Below are a few articles that highlight various aspects of neurological recovery and how they may help you now that you’re home.

5 articles to read about stroke recovery:

1. Managing sensory overload: Following neurological events, your brain may not process sensory information (such as light and sound) like it did previously. Learning about this information may help you manage sensory input and overload in your environment during stroke recovery.

2. Knowing gaps in neurological recovery: There is no linear approach to recovery following a neurological event. Some people go to rehab for extended periods of time following stroke or brain injury. Others, meanwhile, are sent home with visiting nursing services. Others still may go home without any support or services. With all this variation in stroke recovery experiences, there are sure to be gaps in the information provided to you. In this article, we interview the neurologist Dr. David J. Lin, MD, to help you learn what questions are appropriate to ask. This can help ensure you’re receiving all the necessary information.

3. Support groups: It can’t be stated enough—you do not have to be alone during stroke recovery. There are others in your community who have gone through or are still going through a similar process. These people may have keen insight into recovery that no one else would, and leaning on them for support can provide you with an invaluable community as you progress in your journey.

4. Emotional wellbeing: Following a stroke or brain injury, the focus is nearly always on neurological recovery. You may need to relearn tasks such as walking, talking, or dressing yourself. With all this change, you may experience emotional challenges, such as anxiety or depression. While these are very common issues following neurological injury, attending to mental health challenges can sometimes take a back seat to other portions of recovery. This article can help you learn how to address this important area of stroke recovery.

5. Sense of identity: Prior to your stroke or brain injury, you may have been engaged in activities or a job that you’re just not able to continue with at this time. These activities may have been so central to you that you’re now left asking…who am I? Learning how to find yourself and find meaning after a stroke can be a crucial part of recovery. Read this article to find out more about how to take your next steps forward in stroke recovery with strength of self. 

You are not alone

As you navigate the path of stroke recovery, remember that you’re not alone in this journey. While the road ahead may appear challenging, try not to lose sight of the fact that recovery extends beyond regaining lost abilities. It’s also about reaffirming your resilience and sense of self, day in, day out. Your identity is not defined solely by your stroke; it’s shaped by the determination and courage you demonstrate in the face of it. 

While the focus of stroke recovery often rests on physical, occupational, and speech therapy, remember that there are many resources available to serve you as a whole person, shifting the focus from “neurological recovery” to recovery of you as a complex, brave, multifaceted individual. We’re honored for BrainWire to be among those resources you’ve turned to for information along the way, and we hope the articles above provide a helpful starting point on your path to stroke recovery. 

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