The road to recovery There's a whole range of people who can help as you recover from your stroke.

In this article

Physiotherapist Occupational therapist Speech and language therapist

General practitioner Nurse Clinical psychologist

Social worker Other professionals Voluntary services

Physiotherapy can help with problems of posture and mobility, such as walking, sitting and lying down. The physiotherapist can also show you how to use any aids that can help improve your mobility and ability to become more independent.

Occupational therapy can help improve your ability to carry out daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, using the bus, going to the pub and getting back to work. It can also help you adapt to any major changes imposed by your condition.

Speech therapy assesses speech and language problems (dysphasia) and helps you communicate, improve communication in everyday activities, such as shopping or using the phone, and shows you how to use communication aids such as a computer.

Once you're discharged from hospital, your medical care will probably be shared between the professional team at the hospital and your GP.

They can prescribe drugs and carry out regular blood pressure checks. They may also have other services, such as stop smoking groups, to help you with any other problems you have.

Nurses may be involved in various different aspects of your care following a stroke.

If you're being cared for in an organised stroke unit, there may be a specialist stroke nurse who'll help care for you in the immediate period following your stroke and work with other members of the team to devise a rehabilitation programme.

Once you're back home, community nurses may be involved in your medical care and help you practise what you've learned with the various therapists.

Psychologists can often help with emotional problems or problems with thinking (cognitive problems).

The local authority social services department can assess your and your carer's needs and help you access services such meals-on-wheels, adaptations and aids, home care services, day services, respite care and, where applicable, state benefits.

If appropriate, they can arrange care in a residential home.

A number of other professionals may be involved in your care, depending on your needs. These include dieticians, chiropodists or podiatrists (footcare specialists) and opthalmologists (eyecare specialists).

There are various charities, disability organisations and carers' groups that can help stroke patients and their families.

The Stroke Association provides specialist services, including information and advice, dysphasia support and family support. It also publishes a range of information leaflets.

If you live in Scotland, Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland offers a range of community services, including support for families and other carers.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in July 2007.
First published in January 2000.