Center for Stroke Rehabilitation at UPMC

Stroke rehab at UPMC Rehabilitation Institute is a special program designed to help people who have had a stroke get better. When someone has a stroke, it can make it hard for them to do everyday things like walking, talking, or caring for their daily needs. Our program helps patients learn how to do these things again.

We have an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and therapists who work together to create a plan that's tailored to each person. We use exercises and activities to help improve strength, balance, and coordination. Our goal is to help stroke survivors regain their independence and get back to their normal lives as much as possible.

Contact the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute

Contact the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute to learn more about inpatient rehab.

Stroke Rehab

Your rehab team at UPMC will work with you to help improve:

• Speech and language skills.
• Swallowing problems.
• Movement and balance.
• Physical function.
• Skills for daily living.

Most of these issues will improve with time and rehab.

The length of time you'll need in rehabilitation will depend on the severity of your stroke and your specific needs.

Advanced Technology for Healing After Stroke

Stroke rehab at UPMC gives you access to the latest technology — many through our Robotics and Gaming Center — to help you:

• Learn to walk again.
• Improve balance and range of motion.
• Do more than one task at the same time.
• Gain strength and stamina.
• Increase reaction time.

Reaching these milestones will help you live a more independent life after your rehabilitation stay.

Family Involvement in the Rehabilitation Process

We ask family and caregivers to get involved in their loved one's stroke rehab. This can help you get ready for the responsibilities of caregiving.

Caregivers and family members can help their loved one in the following ways:

• Attend occupational, physical, and speech therapy sessions.
• Encourage and help them practice new skills they learned.
• Learn what they can do alone, and what they need help doing.
• Spend time with the nurses to learn medication schedules.
• Visit them. Take part in activities and meals and do things they enjoy.
• Eat well, get enough rest, and take breaks from caregiving as needed.

Other Stroke Services

As your rehab progresses, other helpful treatments and services may include:

• Job-related goals and skills.
• Behavioral medicine to address stress and pain management.
• Assistive and rehabilitation technologies.
• Orthotics.
• Education about home safety.
• Pre-driving assessments.

Our Stroke Rehabilitation Experts at UPMC

• Jessica Berry, MD
• Shaun Darrah, MD
• Kerry DeLuca, MD
• Nabela Enam, MD
• Kevin Franzese, DO
• Gary Galang, MD
• Maryanne Henderson, DO
• Max Hurwitz, DO
• Molly Krause, DO
• Grace O'Neale, MD
• Jennifer Shen, MD
• Debbie Tan, MD
• Maria Twichell, MD
• Kali Webb, DO

Learn More About Rehabilitation After Stroke

Read stroke rehab stories from UPMC patients.

Or visit UPMC's HealthBeat blog for:

• Road to Recovery: Forms of Rehab After Stroke.
• Recovery from Hemorrhagic Stroke: Tom's Story.
• Bouncing Back with Rehab: Reclaiming Independence After a Stroke.
• Learn About the Center for Stroke Rehabilitation with Jennifer Shen, MD.

Looking for...

• Inpatient Rehabilitation.
• Outpatient Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy.
• Rehabilitation Doctors.