Stroke Rehab

Inpatient stroke recovery rehab

When stroke patients arrive at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital—generally from acute-care hospitals—the main focus is on restoring mobility. The body and brain are ready to recover, so we make sure patients are out of bed and active during their rehab stay. In fact, we make sure our stroke recovery rehab patients participate in a minimum of three hours of intensive rehabilitation therapy for five out of seven days. The most rapid improvement usually occurs in the first few months after the stroke, so we develop unique stroke treatment and therapy plans that help patients immediately build on their strengths and learn to compensate for limitations.

The average inpatient stay for a stroke patient is just under three weeks. Upon discharge, 61 percent of stroke survivors were able to return home.

Our stroke inpatients benefit from:

• Board-certified rehabilitation physicians and 24-hour rehabilitation nursing care
• Patient rooms, therapy gym and family areas in a unified area
• Nursing stations located nearby with optimal sight lines to patient rooms

Many patients discharged from the Stroke Recovery Program can perform most of their daily tasks on their own and require only minimal assistance to complete the tasks.

Most stroke patients at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital are over the age of 65.

For stroke patients under the age of 50, we offer a Young Stroke Program. This program emphasizes relearning the skills required for these younger individuals to return to living as independent a lifestyle as possible—including learning skills needed for returning to work and resuming daily responsibilities.

View our patient outcome report

Since stroke patients often have low physical capabilities, many of our therapies focus on conserving energy and building physical tolerance for walking, exercise and the tasks of daily life. For some patients, we retrain them to walk by using a harness system that safely suspends them above a low-speed treadmill. When a patient is ready, we provide access to a fully equipped kitchen and simulated living areas for patients to practice skills they'll use when returning home.

Since stroke patients may experience confusion or difficulty adjusting to their new limitations, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital is equipped with specialized safety equipment that reduces risk of injury, including an electronic WanderGuard® Locating System, net enclosures around beds, seat belts and bed alarms.

Inpatient therapies and services include, but are not limited to:

• Physical therapy, including use of walking harness systems, like Lokomat®Pro if appropriate
• Occupational therapy, including constraint induced therapy as appropriate
• Speech therapy
• Psychology
• Cognitive retraining
• Bowel and bladder management
• Nutritional management
• Recreational therapy
• Horticultural therapy
• Aquatic therapy

Inpatient stroke support group

Led by a psychologist, this group is open to stroke survivors in our inpatient units. Family members are also welcome. The group focuses on adjustment issues for patients and their loved ones following a stroke.

The inpatient stroke support group meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00–3:30 pm in the Oak Unit Dining Room. For more information, call 484.596.5430.

Outpatient stroke recovery rehab

After an inpatient stay, many patients may benefit from continued treatment on an outpatient basis. We offer several specialized outpatient stroke recovery rehab services:

• Neurologic Day Program
• Driver Rehab
• Assistive Technology
• Aquatic therapy
• Horticulture therapy
• Neuropsychological evaluations
• Vestibular (balance) therapy

Brain injury/stroke survivor support group

This support group welcomes survivors of brain injury and stroke. The group is co-facilitated by a neuropsychologist and a certified rehabilitation nurse with a focus on increased independence and adjustment to life after a brain injury or stroke. Emphasis is on open discussions amongst group members for support, networking and resource sharing. Experts and community leaders are invited to speak throughout the year.

The brain injury/stroke survivor support group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 5:00–6:30 pm in the Administration Building, Conference Rooms 1–4. For more information, contact 484.596.5430.

Brain injury/stroke caregiver support group

Facilitated by members of our rehab team, this group welcomes caregivers of brain injury and stroke survivors. Family members learn how to cope with their loved one's injuries and adjusted lifestyles.

The brain injury/stroke caregiver support group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 5:00–6:30 pm in the Administration Building, Second Floor, Board Room. For more information, contact 484.596.5430.

Family involvement

During their inpatient stay, patients work with our team of experts to re-learn important life skills like eating, walking and getting dressed. We often involve patients' families in this training, so they can learn how to help their loved one accomplish tasks as needed. For those traveling long distances, we offer comfortable on-site family accommodations—available with reservations. Families with a loved one participating in outpatient rehab are often invited to participate in therapy sessions as well. We find that family support and encouragement is a critical part of the recovery process.