Title : Post-Acute stroke rehabilitation
Abstract:
Globally, life expectancy from birth increased from 61.7 years in 1980 to 71.8 years in 2015 (GBD, 2015). This means we live longer and we are more susceptible to acute and/or chronic disease. Ischaemic hearth disease and stroke are the leading two cases of premature death and according with Global Burden of Disease 2010 (Feigin et al, 2014) stroke continues to increase, with 16.9 million of people being affected by stroke annually. From these numbers, 5 million die and another 5 million are left permanently disabled (WHO, 2016) being the stroke the leading cause of disability.
An estimated 50 million stroke survivors worldwide currently cope with significant physical, cognitive and emotional deficits and 25% to 74% of these survivors require some assistance or they need fully assistance of caregivers for activity of daily living. (Miller, et al, 2010) Following a stroke an individual may experience cognitive, physical and psychological deficits. After the stroke, the first aim is to stabilize medical condition during the acute phase, and then to retrain the previously learnt tasks through actual trial and performance in the rehabilitation phase. Evidence shows that the earlier rehabilitation is commenced the better the outcome for the stroke survivor and this principles should be applied in the acute and post-acute settings. The main goal for stroke rehabilitation is to help stroke survivors relearning skills that are lost when part of the brain is damaged and to adjust him to this new condition.
Stroke rehabilitation is proactive, person-centered and goal-oriented process that should begin the first day after stroke. And the literature shows rehabilitation is not only related with physical recovery but also with reintegration of the person into the community and therefore the transition between hospital and community care.
A multidisciplinary team with a holistic, comprehensive and interactive approach should be in place to implement a stroke rehabilitation program as soon as possible, by setting realistic goals with the stroke survivor and family.
Audience take away:
- This knowledge can be use daily, during all phases of the stroke rehabilitation program.
- The knowledge acquired by all of participants will be useful on the floor with stroke patients. It is necessary for the healthcare provider to have knowledge regarding stroke rehabilitation. So it can be started since the acute phase.
- State of art will be provided, the audience will know what new is been done in stroke rehabilitation and how they can adjust to their reality.
