Community neurological rehabilitation

ABSTRACT

There is now good evidence of the efficacy of multidisciplinary rehabilitation for better recovery after stroke. Many hospitals around the world now have a dedicated stroke rehabilitation unit. However, people will only spend a few weeks or months in a stroke unit before returning home. There is often much further rehabilitation potential after discharge. This article emphasises the importance of continuing rehabilitation in the community after discharge from hospital. The article discusses some theoretical models for ongoing rehabilitation in a community setting and briefly describes the evidence base for the efficacy of community rehabilitation. Overall it is important that rehabilitation is not seen as a short term event but is seen as a lifelong support process that continues to work with the disabled person and their family to maximize independence and community integration