Stroke can leave a wake of physical and emotional challenges, requiring intensive and specialized care for recovery. Navigating the path forward looks different for everyone, but thanks to donations and a multidisciplinary team, St. Joseph’s employs a holistic approach to rehabilitation. From physical therapy to speech therapy, occupational therapy, emotional counselling and more, stroke rehabilitation addresses all aspects of a patient’s journey toward regaining their independence.

A stroke can happen to anyone, at any time. When it strikes, families, caregivers, medical professionals, and donors come together to help stroke survivors persevere through daunting odds.

St. Joe’s stroke rehabilitation program is made possible, in large part, due to the unwavering support of our community of donors and friends. Survivors of stroke have access to specialty equipment, rehabilitation gyms and dedicated outdoor spaces like the Pearson Motion Rehab Garden, which are all funded entirely through donations. These specialized spaces and equipment allow our care teams to craft individualized plans to achieve each patient’s physical, occupational and emotional goals.

“Rehabilitation is not just about recovering lost abilities or adapting to a new normal. It takes a lot of time and hard work for individuals to build back their strength and resilience,” shares Matt Smith, Director, Clinical Services. “It also takes the right spaces and equipment, and we’re so grateful to our community of donors who are making sure that St. Joe’s will be there, ready to help all stroke survivors who require our service.”

“After several weeks of in-patient rehab and many ongoing weekly visits to St. Joe’s for out-patient physio, occupational, and speech therapy, I have been able to regain my speech and the ability to walk. I feel blessed that St. Joe’s rehab program has helped me get back on my feet and back to my home and my family.”
– Lobsang, a patient of the stroke rehabilitation program

About St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Programs

Our rehabilitation team brings a wide range of specialized skills and knowledge to help each person achieve optimal independence and greater quality of life by providing:

  • In-Patient Rehab Hospitalization for those who require extensive, prolonged rehab due to an accident, injury, advanced disease, heart attack or stroke
  • COPD Pulmonary Rehab helps people with chronic lung diseases such as COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis
  • Neuro Rehab supports those with functional impairments due to stroke, spinal cord injury, and other degenerative neurological conditions
  • Musculoskeletal Rehab helps people living with musculoskeletal and joint dysfunction achieve their highest possible degree of independence
  • Amputee Rehab cares for, supports, and educates people using a prosthesis
  • Speech & Language Pathology serves those whose communication has been affected by stroke, traumatic brain injury, or degenerative disease

 

This story was published in the fall 2023 edition of St. Joe’s Newsletter.