Following a stroke, several different types of medical professionals may help patients to regain as much normal function as possible. A patient’s primary physician and other specialist physicians have the leading role in planning a patient’s post-stroke care. Physician specialists who may play an essential role in stroke rehabilitation include neurologists and physiatrists (specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation).

Nurses also play a key role in managing a patient’s stroke rehabilitation. Nurses often are involved in helping patients carry out the basic activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing and toileting. In addition, they may provide guidance in planning a medication schedule and perform other personal care tasks.

Other specialists who may be involved in stroke rehabilitation include:

• Physical therapist. Helps patients cope with motor and sensory disabilities. These experts may help patients to relearn how to use impaired or paralyzed limbs. They may also suggest exercises that the patient can perform to maintain strength and reduce fatigue.
  
  
• Occupational therapist. Helps patients learn self-directed day-to-day activities. Occupational therapists focus on developing fine motor skills, such as those involved with personal grooming and preparing meals.
  
  
• Speech-language pathologist. Helps patients relearn language techniques or to master new techniques that allow them to circumvent their disabilities. A speech-language pathologist may also be able to help patients relearn how to swallow, an activity that is often impaired following a stroke.
  
  
• Recreational therapist. Helps patients learn thinking and movement skills that will help enhance the quality of leisure time. Recreational therapists may be able to help patients reduce stress and frustration using a variety of recreational activities, such as sports, games and community outings.
  
  
• Visual therapist. Helps patients use various techniques to retrain, strengthen or sharpen visual skills that have been impaired due to damage in certain parts of the brain.
  
  
• Vocational therapist. Helps educate stroke patients about their rights and protections as covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These therapists also help patients with disabilities identify physical and mental strengths and find positions of employment that match those strengths.

In addition, mental health professionals can help patients come to terms with emotional problems that they may be experiencing. Depression is a common symptom among people who have suffered a stroke. Other patients may experience involuntary emotional expression disorder, in which they have difficulty controlling emotional responses. Individual or group counseling may be a valuable component of rehabilitation for both the patient and the patient’s family.

Finally, social workers and case managers may be part of a patient’s care. These people help patients and their family make certain decisions, such as those related to finances or insurance. They may also help coordinate care for the patient. For example, a social worker or case manager may work with the patient’s family to develop plans to return home or enter a long-term care facility.