The aim of rehabilitation is to allow you to regain as much independence as possible. Rehabilitation will start as soon as your doctor feels it is possible and will continue after your discharge from hospital.

Rehabilitation usually involves a group of specialists and depends on the type of stroke.

Rehabilitation includes:

• teaching of mobility skills (physiotherapy) - walking, moving from chair to bed, etc
• swallowing and speech therapy
• teaching of self-care skills (occupational therapy) like bathing, dressing and feeding independently.

Your doctor will refer you to the appropriate rehabilitation specialist (e.g. physiotherapists, speech therapists). Rehabilitation often continues on an outpatient basis after discharge from hospital.