Rehabilitation Goals

Programs |  Goals | Specialists | Maximizing benefits

Goals need to be realistic. If they are too high, the person will be discouraged and not be able to reach them.

Post Stroke Rehabilitation
Type	Goals
Physical Therapy(PT)	Relearn walking,sitting,lying down,switching from one type of movement to another
Occupational Therapy(OT)	Relearn eating,drinking, swallowing, dressing, bathing, cooking, reading. writing, toileting
Speech Therapy	Relearn language and communication skills
Psychological/ Psychiatric Therapy	Alleviate some mental and emotional problems

If they are too low, the person may not get all the services that will help. A person may lose the desire to work hard if their interests are not taken into account. The person and their family need to tell the program staff about things the patient wants to be able to do. That will help ensure that goals are realistic.

-Walking with a walker cane is a realistic goal for most stroke survivors.
-Being able to take care of oneself with some special equipment is a realistic goal for most.
-Driving a car is a realistic goal for some.
-Having a job can be a realistic goal for some people who were working before the stroke. For some, the old job may not be possible but another job or volunteer activity may be.

Sources for this report include the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Consumer Guide No. #16 AHQR pub. no. 95-0664 US Agency For Healthcare Research and Quality.