Stroke in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Stroke rehabilitation in skilled nursing facilities plays a critical role in supporting older adults through post-acute recovery and long-term functional restoration. This chapter provides a comprehensive framework for managing the diverse medical, neurological, and rehabilitative needs of stroke survivors in SNFs. Topics include early assessment, dysphagia precautions, cognitive and behavioral changes, mobility restoration, pain management, and complications such as spasticity, incontinence, and depression. Tailored for clinicians caring for frail, medically complex residents, the chapter emphasizes interdisciplinary care planning, adaptive rehabilitation strategies, and evidence-based interventions to reduce hospital readmissions and promote quality of life.
Resources for Stroke in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Below is a curated selection of professional and public resources that complement the Stroke in Skilled Nursing Facilities chapter. These references support evidence-based, interdisciplinary post-stroke management with practical guidance on rehabilitation, secondary prevention, dysphagia care, emotional health, and quality improvement in skilled nursing and post-acute care settings.
Guidelines for Stroke Rehabilitation
American Heart Association (AHA)
Comprehensive recommendations on post-stroke recovery, rehabilitation timing, therapy intensity, and management of complications such as spasticity, pain, and depression. Includes standards for interdisciplinary team coordination.
https://www.stroke.org/
Stroke Rehabilitation in Adults
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
Evidence-based guidance covering rehabilitation approaches for mobility, swallowing, cognition, and emotional health, with sections on staff training and long-term outcomes.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng128
Dysphagia and Nutritional Support After Stroke
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Clinical practice resources on swallowing assessment, diet modification, and therapy interventions for dysphagia in post-stroke patients, including guidelines for speech-language pathologists in SNF settings.
https://www.asha.org/
Psychological and Cognitive Recovery After Stroke
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Patient and clinician materials addressing cognitive rehabilitation, emotional health, and prevention of post-stroke depression and anxiety. Includes tools for family education and recovery planning.
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/stroke
Community and Caregiver Support
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Public education tools and caregiver support programs focused on lifestyle changes, community reintegration, and stroke recurrence prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/