Cognitive Impairment

 

"Although stroke is typically considered to be a condition causing limb weakness and paralysis, up to 20% of stroke survivors have no significant motor difficulties."

"Individuals without weakness or paralysis may have cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment is associated with poor rehabilitation outcomes, such as increased length of stay in hospital and reduced functional independence."

(ISWP, 2012, p116)

 

Cognitive impairment after stroke may include problems with:

• Attention affecting the ability to focus on one thing at a time
• Visual-spatial awareness affecting awareness of yourself and the environment around you
• Memory affecting the ability to remember things
• Executive dysfunction affecting the ability to analyse, interpret, plan, organise, and execute complex information