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- What is a Stroke?
- What are the Types of a Stroke?
- Changes in Thinking, Behavior and Mood After Stroke
- Treatment for Stroke – tPA, EVT
- Stroke Care Team Members
- Medications
- Tests
- Risk Factors for Stroke
- Driving After a Stroke
- Going Home After a Stroke
- Stroke Recovery Journey Map
- Stroke Services Directory
The Health Care Team
Members of the health care team will teach you, your family and support persons about:
- what has happened
- your risk factors for stroke and what you can do to manage them
- what treatment and care is needed
- what medications you are taking and how they help in your recovery
- what to expect when you leave the hospital or move to the next step in your stroke recovery
Below is a listing of health care team members you may meet and how they can help you.
Health Care Team member | How they help |
---|---|
A Neurologist/Internist | Organizes your medical care |
Nurse Practitioner | A member of the medical team who brings together medical and nursing knowledge & teaches you, your family and support persons about healthy living, preventing disease and managing after your stroke |
Neuropsychologist | Assesses and treats changes in thinking and emotions common after stroke |
Physiatrist | Medical doctor that guides rehabilitation |
Registered Nurse and Registered Practical Nurse | Helps you with your daily care & answers your questions and concerns |
Dietitian/Dietetic Assistant | Helps you meet your nutritional needs & ensures you receive the foods that are best for you |
Occupational Therapist/Occupational Therapy Assistant | Helps you to be more independent with your daily activities & teaches you to use special equipment which allows you to do more for yourself |
Physiotherapist/Physiotherapist Assistant | Helps you to gradually increase your physical activity & helps you to improve and/or maintain your strength, flexibility and balance |
Pharmacist | Assesses your medications and dosages & answers your questions about medications |
Social Worker | Helps you and your family learn ways of coping with the changes in your lives & helps you and your family determine the type of supports needed in the next step of your stroke recovery |
Speech Language Pathologist/Communications Disorder Assistant | Helps you with your spoken and written communication & assesses and makes recommendations for managing swallowing problems |
Respiratory Therapist | Provides breathing assessments, oxygen therapy and treatment to help reduce respiratory infections |
Chaplain | Provides spiritual guidance and support |
Therapeutic Recreation Therapist | Helps you with your leisure needs and goals |
Stroke Navigator | Works with the health care team to determine what type of recovery care is best for each patient & provides education and support when you move between the areas of stroke care |
You and your family are the most important members of the health care team. You and your family play an active role in managing your health. We encourage you and your family to take part in your care. You can ask questions to any member of the health care team at any time.