Stroke: Impact on life and daily function

Abstract

The experience of having a stroke involves changes to many activities in social, leisure and work life, and the way we interact with the world. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the changes in mind-body interactionthat affect people who have experienced a stroke. We will explain health strategies important after stroke, and describe specific mind-body problems that affect daily life: Issues with movement and mobility, problems perceiving and moving in the 3-D world, problems with sensation, self-awareness, and pain. We also discuss mind-body problems with mood and emotion, social function, concentration and memory problems, and communication disorder (aphasia) and fatigue. We end the chapter describing important steps in returning to the community for stroke survivors and their families, and cultural issues.