What is the primary goal of rehabilitation for stroke patients?

Maximizing functional independence is the primary goal of rehabilitation for stroke patients because the focus of rehabilitation is to help individuals regain the ability to perform daily activities and improve their quality of life after a stroke. Rehabilitation seeks to enhance the patient’s ability to function in their environment, which often involves various therapies aimed at improving movement, speech, and cognitive skills.

While regaining full mobility is certainly a significant aspect of rehabilitation, the broader objective encompasses all dimensions of functionality, including communication, self-care, and social interaction. Therefore, prioritizing functional independence emphasizes the importance of allowing individuals to manage their own care and engage more fully in their lives post-stroke.

Reducing hospital readmissions and improving nutritional status are important components of overall patient care but are not the primary focus of rehabilitation specifically related to stroke recovery. Instead, they can be viewed as outcomes of effective rehabilitation and comprehensive care.