AFTER A STROKE - STRATEGIES TO RESTORE FUNCTION AND PREVENT COMPLICATIONS

Mortality and morbidity are high in elderly stroke patients. Early mob ilization and prevention of stroke-related complications improve their ability to participate in a more intense and comprehensive rehabilita tion program. An interdisciplinary approach to stroke rehabilitation r estores functional loss, improves quality of life, and decreases long- term economic costs. Important parts of stroke rehabilitation include patient and family education, treatment of stroke-related complication s, and prevention of recurrent stroke. A healthy and caring spouse, co ntinence of bladder and bowel, and ability to feed oneself are the mos t positive predictors of stroke outcome.