Starting rehabilitation?
Please choose the story that best describes you or your family member:
Jack's Story
(symptoms on left side of the body)
Jack was transferred to the rehabilitation unit today. He has muscle weakness in his left arm and weakness in his left leg. Jack would like to start walking but needs assistance from another person and a quad walker. He needs to be reminded to wait for help before moving from the bed to a chair or wheelchair because he had a fall when trying to move by himself this morning.
Jack tends to slump to one side when he is sitting and he does not seem to notice that his left arm dangles over the sidearm of a chair. He mentions that he has pain in his left shoulder. Jack needs help with bathing and grooming for his own safety, and needs reminders to tend to the left side of his body. He often does not make it to the toilet on time. Jack is easily distracted during conversation but can answer basic questions. He is tearful and easily upset.
As a family member you may feel concerned about Jack and his recovery from stroke.
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Isabelle's Story
(symptoms on right side of the body)
Isabelle is starting rehabilitation. She has right arm weakness but is able to move her right arm with effort. Isabelle also has right leg weakness (hemiparesis). Her balance is poor so she must use a quad cane when she walks with the therapist.
The right side of Isabelle's face is drooping slightly. She has difficulty finding words (aphasia) but she is able to speak in one to two word sentences. She seems to understand when you talk to her. Isabelle is still having difficulty swallowing medication with water and she coughs while eating (dysphagia). Isabelle seems to be depressed since the stroke.
As a family member you may feel overwhelmed at this point and may be thinking about the future and wondering how things will work out once Isabelle is home. You also are concerned about how Isabelle will do over the next weeks and how she will cope with all of these changes in her life.
(Please click here to learn more...)