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Recovery and Rehabilitation

How a stroke affects a person depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much of the brain is damaged. The impact of the stroke also depends on how quickly it is treated.

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Life After Stroke

A stroke can occur in any area of the brain and may affect different parts of the body depending on where it occurs. If a stroke occurs in the right side of the brain, you may see symptoms on the left side of the body. Similarly, if a stroke occurs in the left side of the brain, you may see symptoms on the right side of the body.

Living with the Effects of Stroke 

Stroke patients and their families may face challenges. The aftereffects of stroke vary greatly and may include:

Stroke Rehabilitation

Before you are discharged from the hospital, social workers can help you find services to continue your long-term recovery.

Stroke rehabilitation is important to help you regain as much function and quality of life after a stroke as possible. It’s important to begin rehabilitation right away. It is also important to work with your care team to find out the reasons for your stroke and take steps to prevent another stroke from happening.

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Rehabilitation

If you or someone you love has suffered a stroke, rehabilitation is part of your recovery.

stroke rehabilitation
lifestyle-changes
Lifestyle Changes

Small lifestyle changes can help prevent your first stroke or lower your risk of having another one.

lifestyle changes
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Support Groups

Stroke Support comes in a many forms. Find a class or support group to help manage life after stroke.

support groups
Patient uses a handheld device connected to a chest-mounted vagus nerve stimulation sensor while a clinician observes.
Paired Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Paired vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) offers a therapeutic approach that can help improve rehabilitation results. Data so far shows that people using paired VNS (VNS system combined with therapy) often improve significantly more than with therapy alone.

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Advanced Care and Technology

Northwestern Medicine is home to highly trained physicians, nurses and rehabilitation therapists who specialize in stroke care. We create individualized treatment plans that focus on your needs.

Our advanced care includes:

  • Advanced Stroke Certification. Northwestern Medicine offers eight hospitals accredited by The Joint Commission as providing advanced levels of stroke care, including two Comprehensive Stroke Centers.
  • Telestroke. We offer expansive telestroke network to provide vascular neurology consultations within seven minutes.
  • Mobile Stroke Unit. The Mobile Stroke Unit is a specialized ambulance equipped with tools and staff normally only found inside a hospital. This unit is the first of its kind in Illinois, and one of the first in the world.

Meet the Teams

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At Northwestern Medicine, we apply the experience and knowledge of experts across disciplines to deliver the best stroke care to our patients. When a stroke happens, we are with you every step of the way.
Meet the Teams
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Northern Suburbs
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Greater DeKalb County
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Locations & Contact Information

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    Downloads

    After Stroke: A Guide for Caregivers

    After a Stroke: A Guide for Caregivers
    English | Spanish

    Comprehensive Stroke Care

    After a stroke, you and your loved ones may meet with several members of the Northwestern Medicine Stroke Teams. Each Team Member will provide input regarding your treatment and recovery.

    meet the teams