Because stroke survivors often have complex rehabilitation needs, progress and recovery are different for each person. This first step includes helping the patient survive, preventing another stroke, and taking care of any other medical problems. Spontaneous recovery happens naturally to most people. Soon after the stroke, some abilities that have been lost usually start to come back. This process is quickest during the first few weeks, but it sometimes continues for a long time.
Rehabilitation is another part of treatment.
It helps the person keep abilities and gain back lost abilities to become more independent. It usually begins while the patient is still in acute care. For many patients, it continues afterward, either as a formal rehabilitation program or as individual rehabilitation services. Many decisions about rehabilitation are made by the patient, family, and hospital staff before discharge from acute care. The last stage in stroke recovery begins with the person's return to community living after acute care or rehabilitation.