How Multidisciplinary Allied Health Teams Help People with a Stroke

Recovering from a stroke can be challenging, but a team of different health experts working together can make a big difference. Here’s how these teams help:

  1. Initial Check and Planning:

    • Complete Evaluation: Ideal rehabilitation uses the expertise of the whole team – giving a comprehensive understanding of your physical health, thinking skills (cognition), and emotions.
    • Therapy Plan: Based on the assessment, a custom plan with goals for recovery can be developed.
  2. Physical Recovery:

    • Physiotherapist: Helps patients regain movement and strength through exercises and stretches. They also work on balance and walking.
    • Exercise Physiologist: Designs exercise programs to improve heart health, reduce blood pressure, improve blood flow to your brain, increase muscle strength, and overall fitness. They also work on improving balance and coordination by building new movement pathways in your brain.
  3. Thinking and Communication Support:

    • Speech Therapist: Helps with speaking, understanding, and swallowing problems. They provide exercises to improve communication.
    • Occupational Therapist: Helps you to relearn daily tasks like dressing and cooking. They also work on memory and problem-solving skills.
  4. Emotional Support:

    • Psychologist: Provides support for emotional issues like anxiety and depression. They offer therapy and coping strategies, and can support the changes that a stoke may have had to your brain.
    • Social Worker: Gives emotional support and connects patients and families to resources and support groups.
  5. Nutritional Guidance:

    • Dietitian: Creates a healthy eating plan to support recovery and address any swallowing issues.
  6. Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment:

    • Regular Check-ins: Multi disciplinary approach to recovery is optimal when progress is monitored and updates to your therapy plan is progressed as needed.
    • Team Collaboration: Team members work together to provide coordinated care, ensuring all aspects of recovery are covered. This collaboration ensures that your therapy meets your physical and emotional needs, whilst coordinating your appointments and schedule to be suitable to your life.

Benefits of Multidisciplinary Teams

  • Comprehensive Care: Addresses all parts of your health, leading to better and faster recovery.
  • Personalised Approach: Customised treatment to each person needs, making it more effective.
  • Enhanced Support: Offers a strong support network for patients and their families, helping them through recovery.
  • Improved Outcomes: Increases the chances of regaining independence and improving quality of life through coordinated care.

By bringing together different health experts, multidisciplinary allied health teams provide essential support and care, helping stroke survivors recover and achieve their best possible health.

“At Adelaide Wellbeing Society – we understand the importance of a teamed approach to care, and is the sole reason why we offer a range of services at the one location.We are also well connected across the industry and can help link you to another health profession or service if required.”
Adelaide Wellbeing Society
Jonathon Loader
Director

If you have any other goals or therapy needs, here at Adelaide Wellbeing Society, we have a range of other services that may help too:

If you are in need of a specialised stoke rehabilitation team, Adelaide Wellbeing Society are happy to help.