My mom recently had a stroke and has slurred speech and right side weakness. Is therapy usually able to correct these issues? What sort of therapy is done to help stroke patients facing impairments of this sort?
Anonymous
A lot depends on what kind of stroke she had and how extensive the damage was (and how fast she got into medical treatment and what drugs she was given in the ER), so you really need to be discussing this subject with her physicians.
Therapy can accomplish very good things, but not all patents are going to regain all their faculties and abilities. Most don't. Your mother will receive physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Unfortunately, only about 25% of patients experience such limited effects and disabilities as to make it possible to return to their previous lives with no real issues.
Moreover, while progress can be really rapid in the first 3 months, it usually slows after that. This doesn't mean no more progress will be made -- it could go on for years -- but it won't be as noticeable or significant.
Things are much better now than they used to be, that I can assure you. I had a great uncle who had a severe stroke in his early 60s, and he never regained the ability to walk unassisted or speak, though he lived another 20-some years. Today, he'd probably be getting around with a cane and speaking perfectly intelligibly if in a somewhat slurred manner.
Bill
It all depends on how severe the stroke was, and whether the patient was treated immediately.
Kiss Me Kate
my mom had a similar outcome after having a stroke.....her speech got much better, unless she was tired....but the right side weakness didn't get better--but she didn't work very hard at rehab--they sent her home with all types of exercises she was supposed to do--but she sat on the couch instead. I knew another woman who was carried into the hospital after having a stroke--and she is back 100 percent--she worked HARD on her rehab---(she was a runner before the stroke)
I would say it is all about how you apply yourself to your rehab.
Rick
I've had three, and I'm walking PRETTY good .......................