About Your Stroke Care

The Comprehensive Stroke Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center provides truly personalized service to answer your questions and concerns.

Compassionate support is a hallmark of our stroke program. Our nursing staff is here for you and your family, and together with your doctors and other caregivers at BIDMC, we will help you learn about:

Your stroke diagnosis, the tests you will have, and any necessary preparations
The procedure or operation you may need
Your recovery period, medications, returning home and much more

We can help you and your family navigate your care, arrange appointments and coordinate any additional resources you might need.

The National Stroke Association also has a number of fact sheets on Stroke 101 and Prevention, Risk Factors for Stroke, and Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery.

Recovery After Stroke

Stroke Recovery Stroke complications can include paralysis or loss of muscle movement; trouble talking or swallowing; problems with memory or judgment; behavior changes; and pain, among others. Recovery depends on which area of the brain was affected and how much brain tissue was damaged during the stroke.

Recovery (rehabilitation) can be a challenging, lifelong process. The goal is to improve your quality of life and restore as much independence as possible. Our neurologists can help plan your rehabilitation program, which is likely to include a team of medical professionals, concentrating in the following areas:

Physical therapy to help you regain as much movement as possible
Occupational therapy to help you in everyday tasks such as eating, and self-care such as dressing
Speech therapy to improve swallowing and speech problems
Cognitive skills to improve your memory and problem-solving abilities

Learn more about rehabilitation services at BIDMC.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) also has a helpful fact sheet on post-stroke rehabilitation.

Hebrew Rehabilitation Center

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has a network of community partners that includes Hebrew SeniorLife. Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, with locations in Boston and at NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham, is an integral part of Hebrew SeniorLife. Hebrew Rehabilitation Center offers post acute and long term care services at both locations.

Patients who need expert medical care and rehabilitative services following a stroke can choose Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for their post acute care. Patients recovering from a stroke receive up to three hours of skilled therapy services per day when clinically indicated and have access to specialized technology. The stroke rehabilitation team revolves around the patient and family and helps set short- and long-term goals for recovery. Many skilled professionals are part of the rehabilitation team, including a physiatrist, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, registered nurses, nutritionists, social workers and a neurologist.

Hebrew Rehabilitation Center is CARF accredited. CARF (Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) means that patients can be confident that our programs meet internationally recognized standards and focus on quality and consumer satisfaction. HRC has received CARF's highest rating.

Learn more about Hebrew SeniorLife.

Stroke Information Kit

After a stroke, there is a lot you can do to prevent another stroke and improve your recovery. Important information for you, your family, and your caregivers includes:

After a stroke, please read through the above materials and share them with those close to you.

Telehealth

TeleNet Doctor Through our TeleNet:Stroke service, participating community hospitals have around-the-clock access to direct and immediate video consultation with BIDMC stroke neurology specialists. Our BIDMC stroke team can consult with emergency physicians and local neurologists, and examine patients from afar, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Using image-sharing technology and video conferencing, BIDMC specialists visually assess, talk with and review scans for patients who may be experiencing acute stroke, transient ischemic attacks or stroke-like conditions.

By working together with local hospitals and physicians, patients receive care in their own community. At the discretion of the local treating physician, only those patients who would benefit from advanced therapy not available at the local hospital will be transferred to BIDMC.

Improving Outcomes

The TeleNet:Stroke program facilitates rapid diagnosis and triage so that patients with stroke or suspected stroke receive the most appropriate therapy in the most appropriate location as quickly as possible. Together, BIDMC and affiliated hospitals can improve stroke-related care and outcomes, with strong support for keeping suitable patients in their community hospitals. TeleNet:Stroke keeps patients close to home with state-of-the-art treatment.

Shared Expertise

Our program also gives affiliated hospitals logistical support to meet the national and local requirements for primary stroke center certification. We provide local physicians and stroke-care providers with ongoing education. Easy access to BIDMC resources and expertise keep hospitals up-to-date with major advances and best practices in stroke diagnosis and treatment.

We also assist affiliated hospitals in providing stroke education and support to patients and their families. And we aim to expand timely access to innovative treatments for suitable patients through NIH- and industry-sponsored stroke-related trials at BIDMC.