Overview
After a stroke, partner with caring Ballad Health staff as you work to regain as much independence as possible.
Turn to us for the high-quality services you and your family need to improve quality of life.
Recovering in the hospital
When you’re admitted to the hospital, you may stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) where doctors and nurses closely watch your brain activity, pulse, breathing and other vital signs.
As you get better, you’ll move to another area of the hospital, such as a special floor reserved for people who had a stroke.
A physical therapist, occupational therapist and speech therapist will start working on a rehabilitation plan to help you rebuild everyday skills.
Long-term rehabilitation
Before you leave the hospital, the Ballad Health care team will help you and your family decide the best place for you to continue recovering. You might go home and take advantage of home health care. Or your doctor may recommend a skilled nursing or long-term care facility.
Wherever you go, continue to get physical therapy, speech therapy and/or occupational therapy to help you better move, speak and swallow, and do daily tasks like bathing and dressing.
Your care team will work with you to overcome the effects of stroke as much as possible.
Preventing another stroke
Reduce your risk of another stroke by living a healthy lifestyle:
- Stop smoking – Smoking doubles the risk of stroke
- Manage high blood pressure, the most important risk factor for ischemic stroke you can change
- Eat a diet low in calories, trans-fats, salt and sugar, but high in vegetables, fruits, lean meats and plant-based proteins; ask one of our registered dietitians for one-on-one advice
- Exercise as often as your caregivers recommend
- Take the medicines your doctor orders
- Limit alcohol use
Support for you & your family
Find encouragement and share your story in support groups and through spiritual care at Ballad Health.
For inspiration, read about stroke survivors who successfully recovered or are working toward recovery with help from Ballad Health.