During the first weeks and months after a stroke, speech, movement, and cognitive abilities often improve. This is because the brain is in a heightened state of plasticity.

However, it is essential to remember that recovery looks different for everyone. Your progress depends on your unique secondary effects and how consistently you participate in rehabilitation.

Stage 1

During this stage, your loved one will continue to improve their ability to move and communicate. They may also experience a reduction in any cognitive problems they had post-stroke.

While everyone recovers differently, a doctor will begin to stabilize your medical condition and manage any lasting effects from the stroke. This will include administering medication and performing tests.

Your doctor may also prescribe clot-busting drugs, blood thinners, and other medications to prevent future strokes. You may also be sent to a rehabilitation hospital SNF or receive home health care services. You will attend therapy sessions at these places or outpatient rehabilitation clinics for a few hours each week.

Stage 2

At this stage, stroke survivor is experiencing their best improvements. This is because the brain is repairing itself and improving cognitive functions.

They may start to feel more relaxed, and their movements will be less jerky or twitchy, but they will still struggle with spasticity (muscle stiffness). Involuntary muscle tightening decreases, but movement patterns are often uncoordinated.

They will work to regain control of their muscles through therapeutic techniques, such as strength training, range-of-motion therapy, and functional activities like cooking and shuffling cards. They will also learn to use assistive devices to help them with daily tasks. Their occupational therapist will teach them compensatory strategies to overcome their limitations.

Stage 3

At this stage, the person has more voluntary control of muscle movements. Involuntary tightening decreases as the brain develops better coordination.

People often experience improvements in their walking and thinking abilities in the weeks or months following a stroke. This is a good sign that they are on the road to recovery. Depending on the individual, improvements can continue for months or years based on the stroke recovery timeline.

Patients must care for themselves by eating well and taking their medications as prescribed. They should also continue their therapy programs.

Stage 4

When a person enters this stage, they realize that recovery isn’t just a matter of getting well. It is a process that will continue throughout their life.

In this stage, the person with an addiction will learn more about alcohol and drug abuse through reflection and research. They will also start to think about how their addiction has affected their relationships and other aspects of their lives.

In this stage, they’ll continue to work on avoiding relapse by developing healthy coping skills and finding alcohol-free ways to enjoy themselves. They’ll also continue to work on their emotional healing. This can be difficult for some people and may take a long time to complete.

Stage 5

At this stage, individuals are willing to look at their problems and take steps toward solving them. They may research information about addiction and alcoholism, talk with people who have been in recovery before or visit a rehab center for the first time.

Clients in this stage begin to experience a feeling of independence and accomplishment in their recovery journey. However, they should remain vigilant to triggers that could cause a relapse. They must also learn to handle setbacks and not treat them as failures. They are still working towards a life of abstinence from all mood-altering substances.

Stage 6

During this stage, individuals begin to learn new life skills. They also must learn to be more honest with themselves and others and practice self-care. They may experience some setbacks but are taught they are not failures because they are part of the process. They are encouraged to remember that most relapses happen because of poor coping skills, not lack of willpower.

Individuals in this phase are often eager to make significant external changes, but it is recommended that they wait until after completing residential treatment. Additionally, frequent and ongoing participation in 12-step meetings is a good practice.