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"Stroke Forum"

Mr. Medcalf is Chief Physical Therapist, Ashton Woods Convalescent Center, Chamblee, GA 30319 (USA), and has a private practice in home health, Atlanta, GA.
Ms. Vandiver is Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Counseling and Psychological Services, Georgia State University, University Plaza, Atlanta, GA 30303 (USA).

This excerpt was created in the absence of an abstract.

"I know he just had a stroke, but we'd planned a camping trip in two weeks—Will he be ready?"

This statement and many similar ones stimulated a physical therapist and a social worker to initiate a program to aid family members in understanding the effects of a cerebrovascular accident.

Typically, families and patients can deal with the immediacy of the medical situation during the acute hospital stay. The crises of the period immediately after discharge are often more difficult to deal with. Lack of understanding of the long-term implications is common. Will he ever walk again? How long will it take? Can he ever drive again? Can he be left alone? Will he ever be able to speak again? How long? How long? Particularly in "stroke" rehabilitation, the family needs to understand the physical and emotional effects of the cerebrovascular accident.

Key Words: Cerebrovascular disorders • Family • Health education • Patient care planning