Recovery & Support for Stroke

NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation offers long-term outpatient programs for people who have had a stroke. Our outpatient services are designed to help people continue progressing toward their functional goals after their acute inpatient care is completed and they have returned home.

Each person works with a therapist to improve strength, coordination, balance, endurance, and functional skills. In addition to outpatient psychology services and physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy, a person who has had a stroke may also participate in recreation therapy and horticulture therapy.

Our experts at Rusk Rehabilitation include people who have had a stroke and their families in all aspects of rehabilitation—educating them on the signs and symptoms of a stroke, preventing a second stroke, reducing risk factors through diet and physical activity, coping with the effects of a stroke, and ways to access community resources.

The goal of rehabilitation is to maximize a person’s physical, cognitive, and behavioral gains after a stroke and ensure the greatest level of independence at home, in the community, and at work.

Recreation Therapy

Recreation therapists teach people how to use community resources and help them practice going on local outings, such as to restaurants and movie theaters. A therapist works with the person and his or her family members to improve their skill development, knowledge, and behaviors for daily living and community involvement.

People who have had a stroke participate in activities that foster independence. They learn new skills suited to their current health needs.

Horticulture Therapy

People who have had a stroke can benefit from horticultural therapy as part of their rehabilitation process. Activities are designed to reduce stress and gain a sense of personal accomplishment, productivity, and self-reliance.

People who participate in horticulture therapy propagate plants, arrange flowers, and engage in nature craft projects. They may feel refreshed and renewed as they continue with rehabilitation.

Support Groups

Rusk Rehabilitation sponsors support groups for people who have had strokes. These groups can be valuable sources of emotional support and information. They also help people recovering from stroke reintegrate into their community by encouraging social interaction.

The Young Stroke Survivors Group provides a forum for young people who have had a stroke and their family members and caregivers to discuss topics relevant to young stroke survivors.

The Aphasia Community Group Program provides an opportunity for socialization and group interaction for people with aphasia, or a loss of speech after a stroke.

Athletic Opportunities

NYU Langone’s chapter of Achilles International, known as Achilles Midtown East, offers a variety of recreational programs for people who have had a stroke and want to compete athletically. The program is designed to help people improve their health and fitness while training for competitive athletic events, including marathons.