Neurological Rehabilitation At-Home Strategies for Achieving Success

Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.

The home can be a better setting for rehabilitation when bouncing back from a neurological condition (like stroke or Parkinson’s disease) than a hospital. Home rehab has many perks, including the obvious: comfort and familiarity.

There are some challenges, too, so there must be a balance. Here are some strategies to make neurological rehabilitation at home successful.

Set up the space

Ensure the house can support the rehabilitation, meaning it’s safe and free of excess clutter. It might be necessary to rearrange furniture to make more open space for safe exercise and mobility practice. Recovery should be comfortable and not burdensome or needlessly challenging.

Establish a routine

Ask the physical therapist for a daily schedule for exercise and therapy sessions and follow this timetable as consistently as possible. Falling out of a routine is one of the biggest challenges for physical therapy and many other healthy habits. Therefore, it’s okay to struggle, but try as hard as possible.

Technology

Many gadgets are making home rehab more palatable. These gadgets include those that monitor progress and apps that can be a guide through exercises, sometimes with fun animations or expressive virtual coaches. These are decent complements to a personal therapist.

Set realistic goals

Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Small, achievable goals can keep the patient motivated without getting overwhelmed. Embrace this wisdom and celebrate the little victories, like improving grip strength or taking extra steps. No matter how small, every win is a step in the right direction.

Stay connected with the care team

Doing rehabilitation at home doesn’t mean doing it alone. Keep in touch with the doctor and physical therapist and update them on all progress and any troubles or drawbacks. They can modify the therapy plan if necessary, give advice, and give the all-important moral support.

Lean on the support system

Recovery can be tough, but that’s why a support system beyond the physical therapist exists. Lean on friends, family, or support groups for encouragement, assistance, and a listening ear. Sometimes, knowing you’re not alone can give you the extra push to keep going.

Listen to the body

If anything isn’t right, the body will show it, blatantly or subtly. Pushing too hard can be a setback, so recognize when to take it easy. If something doesn’t feel right or is simply too exhausting, it’s alright to rest and let the body recover.

Recovery at home

Neurological rehabilitation at home needs a supportive environment, commitment to a routine, and using the tools and support at hand. Recovery takes time and patience, but significant strides toward regaining independence are possible with the right strategies. Keep in touch with a reputable therapist with a solid strategy that fits your condition and health profile.

Liberated Rehabilitation is a mobile physical therapy service in the Phoenix metro area specializing in fully personalized in-home physical therapy. We provide tailored physical therapy in the home or work setting for faster, better recovery. Call (602)755-2276 to schedule an appointment.