If you, or a loved one, have suffered through the traumatic event of a stroke, you are probably overwhelmed with not only the physical and psychological effect a stroke will have upon your life but also the financial impact and medical services required. As a stroke victim, understanding who the players will be in your medical recovery team is not only crucial to your well being but also important to controlling, to some extent, the surmounting medical costs and associated financial burden of suffering a stroke.

While you may certainly know your doctor and his staff quite well, there are medical professionals who will become part of your recovery plan that extend beyond the scope of your physician's office. First, as a stroke patient, you will need a referral to a dietitian who will create a specialized nutrition plan for your recovery as well as monitor your health once your recovery from stroke has stabilized. To control costs, you will want to follow these dietary recommendations closely and conduct your own research on healthy eating habits following a stroke. In doing so, you may reduce the frequency with which a dietitian's services may be required.

In addition to a dietitian, as a stroke patient you will most likely require the services of a variety of therapists. Because a stroke often impacts your mobility, a physiotherapist will need to work aggressively with you to ensure your joints remain mobile, that your muscles remain strong, and to assist in learning new techniques for coordination. It is the physiotherapist who will teach you the proper methods for bed transfer when using wheelchair. Beyond the physiotherapist, your therapy services will lead you to an occupational therapist who will guide you through the safest methods for performing activities of daily living. To reduce the cost associated with therapy, consider a home therapy program in which you elicit the assistance of your family members or a therapist intern to carry out the therapy sessions in your own surroundings.

Speech therapy is also most likely going to be required and, oftentimes, speech therapy is not something you can avoid or reduce the costs associated with it. Because speech therapists not only improve your ability to communicate, but also teach you methods for swallowing and chewing, this is one of the most vital professionals you will need as part of your healthcare team after a stroke. And, finally, because a stroke often leaves you with some disability, there will be social and psychological factors to be addressed. With the use of a social worker, you will be provided with local community resources that can assist in providing volunteer services for you, such as home maintenance costs. In terms of psychological care, prescription medications to control anxiety and depression are quite common but many patients find they are more readily able to remedy their mental distress through love and support of families and through a spiritual connection.

As with any sudden and life altering medical event, suffering a stroke can leave any individual feeling helpless and hopeless. Understanding who should be involved in your healthcare team, and finding ways in which to control the use of medical services and the associated costs, will help to alleviate some of the financial burden the stroke may have on you and your family.