Inpatient Stroke Program
The Stroke Program offers comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services for adults who have experienced a stroke. Located within an acute care hospital, the program draws on a wide range of resources to meet patients' complex medical and rehabilitation needs. It focuses on individual needs, using the latest therapeutic modalities to help patients improve cognitive and neurological functioning. It also helps them learn how to remain healthy and prevent complications or recurrence of a stroke. A stroke, also known as cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is caused by a blood vessel blockage or rupture. Patients experience a wide range of symptoms depending on the extent of damage to the brain. Symptoms and loss of functioning in stroke patients may include:
- swallowing difficulties
- loss of motor control or paralysis on one or both sides of the body
- memory loss
- difficulty maintaining balance while sitting or standing
- concentration problems
- irritability
- loss of bowel and bladder control
- emotional or behavioral problems
- visual and perceptual problems
- communication and speech problems
Program Goals
The goal of the Stroke Program is to help patients achieve their highest personal level of functioning and independence. The interdisciplinary team of professionals provides evaluation and treatment of neurological deficits and is trained to meet the physical and psychological needs of stroke patients. The team provides individualized care for each patient. Self-management is the objective of each patient's treatment plan, and practicing self-care and mobility skills is an essential part of that plan. The rehab team, patient and family are all involved in decision making and planning for the future.
Education for patient and family is an essential component of the program. Our patient-centered philosophy encourages family participation in rehabilitation and invites questions about therapeutic options and medical decisions. The program includes evaluation of the patient's physical, psychological, communication and cognitive functioning. The interdisciplinary team of rehabilitation specialists works with patients throughout recovery to:
- provide education to achieve a healthy lifestyle and prevent recurrence
- develop self-care skills necessary for independent living
- provide training in bowel and bladder control
- teach new methods of mobility and the use of adaptive equipment
- learn new or compensatory strategies for communication and swallowing
Specialists in therapeutic recreation offer a range of activities based on each individual's leisure interests, abilities and lifestyle. Community re-integration is achieved through outings to practice newly-learned skills. Discharge planning may include home assessments by qualified therapists to reduce barriers, provide exercise programs, teach family members how to assist the patient, and help with equipment selection and purchase. Recommendations for continued rehabilitation and medical services are identified and arranged.
Interdisiplinary Professional Team
The Inova Rehabilitation Center's interdisciplinary team includes the following professionals:
- physiatrists (rehab physicians)
- case managers
- rehabilitation nurses
- physical therapists
- occupational therapists
- speech/language pathologists
- therapeutic recreation specialists
- neuropsychologists
- social workers
- respiratory therapists
- dietitians
- chaplain
These professionals are committed to helping patients achieve their highest level of independent functioning and preventing long-term complications.
