R OYA L R E H A B » P R I VAT E H O S P I TA L
Coming up roses after...
Stroke Recovery At 78 years old, Judith experienced a haemorrhagic stroke, and to her surprise found joy in the difficult times that followed. “It was a shock when it happened because I was feeling fine that day. It was 6:00pm and I was standing in the kitchen. Then, this strange feeling came over me. When I went to lift my left leg, I couldn’t move it,” said Judith. The stroke left Judith with sensory issues and weakness on her left side, preventing her from walking. She quickly received acute care at Royal North Shore Hospital. When it was time for rehabilitation, her doctors recommended that she be transferred to Royal Rehab Private Hospital for a personalised stroke rehabilitation program. Judith’s rehab goals were to improve balance, mobility and to walk again. Under the care of rehabilitation specialist Dr Darren Lee, Judith benefitted from a tailored program delivered via a multidisciplinary team of professionals including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, nurses, and exercise physiologists. “The staff were very encouraging, they motivated me to exercise but also understood when I needed a rest. I can now appreciate the huge benefits of exercise, and how everything that the healthcare professionals were doing with me was important.”
exercise program of cardiovascular exercise and resistance training, we can help reduce the modifiable risk factors of having another stroke. We also help clients establish strategies and exercise habits so they can remain active in their everyday lives and continue their exercise routine once they return home,” said Luke.
“It is such a difficult time recovering from a stroke, but I had fun there! It is something I never thought I would say. I didn’t want to be there for that reason, but somehow, I enjoyed myself.”
Judith, attended Royal Rehab Private Hospital for personalised stroke rehabilitation
Luke Maddalena, Senior Exercise Physiologist at Royal Rehab, also supported Judith with her recovery. “Exercise physiologists work on rehabilitation, but we also focus on secondary prevention. By completing a graded and progressive
Left: Royal Rehab Private Hospital client Judith in her beautiful garden.
Royal Rehab » Annual Report 2019/2020
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