Strokes and heart attacks are two different diagnoses. Although the terms seem ambiguous, let’s understand that any blockage in the blood flow to the heart defines the cause of a heart attack while any blockage in the blood flow to the brain causes a stroke. Both of these health emergencies need immediate action. But only having medical attention may not be sufficient enough for a patient to completely recover from a stroke. Specialized stroke therapy helps the patients to regain the possible speech, language, swallowing, or memory loss because of a stroke. One-on-one therapy sessions improve the quality of life of a patient in a much better, and faster way.

The severity and complexity of a stroke varies from person to person. So no two people need the same type of therapy. Depending upon the part/s of the body affected by the stroke, the rehabilitation program is selected. Different therapies such as daily speech, language, oral motor, or swallowing exercise, cognitive, diet modification, etc. are available for the patients. They may need one or multiple at a time depending on the impairment the stroke has brought to the patient. Out of the above, cognitive stroke therapy or dysphagia therapy (swallowing) may be a bit more complex and could require special care while imparting the therapy.

What does cognitive therapy include?

Cognitive ability refers to the mental ability that helps a person in thinking, planning, reasoning, problem solving, speaking, etc. Regaining mental ability is very much important after a stroke.

This process includes: 

1. Speech therapy to improve cognitive skills such as memory processing, reasoning, and social skills

2. Speech therapy to dissipate communication disorders such as speaking, listening, and comprehending

In addition to this, sometimes a patient may need psychological evaluation, counseling. Antidepressants may also be prescribed by doctors to improve the alertness level of stroke patients.

Stroke therapy should be started as quickly as possible for better outcomes. Once the medical risks are under control, the patient should be exposed to the prescribed therapy. There is no process available to calculate the time one needs to completely regain the lost skills. It depends on the severity of the stroke. Most often it lasts for a couple of months and some may need long-term therapy lasting for some years. As the patient improves,  the process changes.

Speech disorder is one of the major issues that impairs a person to communicate with the world outside and needs specialized care from professional Speech and language therapists. They help improve the language and the swallowing ability of a patient. So always do some good research before selecting a speech therapist.

Total Speech Therapy, a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), has been providing individualized stroke therapy to adults in Baltimore and Houston. The multi-disciplinary approach to treatment plans and one-to-one sessions ensure the best outcomes.

Total Speech Therapy has a team of compassionate speech and language therapists delivering better care to stroke patients within their natural environments, even at their homes. Talk to a Speech-Language Therapist today, call 410-696-3301 or email yasminah@totalspeechtherapy.com and book a free consultation.