Many patients are motivated to return to some sense of normalcy after their stroke recovery, and for some that sense of normalcy may include resuming their professional activities. Depending on the effects of the stroke, the work environment may look considerably different for stroke survivors.
Factors To Consider When Returning To Work
First of all, how does a stroke survivor know if and when the time is right to resume their career? The American Stroke Association offers this helpful Employment Readiness Assessment to help you determine if it’s time for you to get back to work: https://www.stroke.org/-/media/Stroke-Files/life-after-stroke/Secondary-Prevention/RTW-Files-012021/RTW_EmploymentReadinessChecklist_v16_Design16560KKAccessible.pdf
Relevant factors for consideration may include:
- Ongoing physical symptoms and their severity
- Cognitive changes
- Mood issues
- Transportation
- Schedule of follow-up medical appointments
- Medication side effects
Spend some time thinking about these concerns and how they may affect your return to work. Feedback from family members, friends and your medical team can also be helpful as you make this decision.
Making The Workplace Work For You
When stroke survivors resume their careers, they may be able to pick up right where they left off, or they may need to make significant changes to their work environment.
As you move forward in your stroke recovery, your career activities may look like:
- Returning to your previous job, with or without accommodations. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are entitled to reasonable accommodations needed to perform your job. Your occupational therapist can help recommend appropriate accommodations, which may include – frequent breaks or reduced hours, specialized equipment,
- Finding a new career path – Depending on the severity of your post-stroke symptoms and the nature of the work you did before your stroke, accommodations may not be feasible, and it may be necessary to consider a career change.
- Connecting with an employer who makes a concerted effort to hire people with disabilities. Public and private agencies who specialize in assisting people with disabilities in their job search can help with this. The American Stroke Association has a helpful guide as well: (https://www.stroke.org/es/life-after-stroke/recovery/return-to-work/employment-resources)
Your life after stroke can include a rewarding and meaningful career. Think about what that could look like for you, and enlist your support team to make it happen.