Care network

Rehabilitation following your admission to hospital

The rehabilitation doctor in the hospital or rehabilitation clinic will work with you to identify the problems that occurred after the stroke (brain hemorrhage or infarction). Examples of this are problems that prevent you from functioning independently, such as standing, walking, balance, arm and hand function, speaking, communicating, thinking, emotional and behavioral functioning. Based on your situation, it will be assessed how and where you can best recover. If you are registered for specialized medical rehabilitation at a rehabilitation center, the rehabilitation doctor will arrange for transfer to a colleague at the rehabilitation center.

Referral information: Referral is based on a valid referral from the doctor in the department where you are being treated.

Fees: Specialized medical rehabilitation at the rehabilitation clinic is reimbursed within the basic package, the deductible excess is charged once.

Rehabilitation at home

You can also sign up for an outpatient rehabilitation program from home if you have problems with the less apparent effects of a stroke, such as problems with your memory, concentration and attention, slower information processing, difficulty with dual-tasking, and problems with mental retention. Your emotions and behavior may also be different from before the stroke. This can lead to problems in social and work situations.

To learn to deal with the consequences of the stroke and approach activities and situations differently you can take part in an outpatient rehabilitation program. Also called Poliklinische Revalidatie Behandeling (outpatient rehabilitation treatment - PRB). This is a treatment program supervised by a team of specialized care providers, such as a rehabilitation doctor, neuropsychologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, movement therapist, and/or social worker.

Referral information: Referral is made based on a valid referral by a doctor or nurse specialist. This can be done by both the family doctor and the attending (nursing) specialist.

Fees: A rehabilitation program at a Medical Specialist rehabilitation clinic is part of the basic package and is always reimbursed.

Rehabilitation after brain injury at young age/programs

In the Netherlands there are 2 centers that specialize in rehabilitation after serious brain injury among young people. These are located in Woerden and Tilburg. These centers use specific criteria to admit people.

Referral: via rehabilitation physician for clinical rehabilitation and a referral from a general practitioner or specialist for outpatient rehabilitation.

Fees: this is covered by the health insurance.

More information (in Dutch):

young stroke toolbox Life after a stroke

Care network

Various care providers may be involved in the care of patients after a cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage. read more

Aids

If you have had a stroke, you may suffer from symptoms that limit your independence. It may then be easy to use aids for certain actions. Below are some websites that can help you find the right aids. You may also be eligible, via the municipality, for the purchase of aids or support in this regard. This is done via the WMO (Social Support Act) point of contact of your municipality. This can vary from one municipality to another.

Regelhulp (care and support help): WMO (Social Support Act) (Dutch)
Medipoint (Dutch)
Thuisleefgids (home life guide, in Dutch)
Hulpmiddelenwijzer (aids guide, in Dutch)
Hulpmiddelen via Bol.com (aids on Bol.com)
Hersenletseluitleg (brain injury explanation, in Dutch)
In eigen hand (in our own hands, in Dutch): baby and toddler care for functional one-handed people
Weerhandig: advice on aids, in Dutch.

Sports

Do you wish to start excercising (again)? Uniek Sporten is the sports point of contact for all questions concerning sports and movement with a disability. read more

Sports

Uniek Sporten (unique sports) is the sports point of contact for all questions concerning sports and movement with a disability.
Do you wonder what opportunities there are in the area for disability sports? Are you looking for
advice about looking for a buddy or, for example, aids? Unique Sporten helps with finding a suitable sport or exercise option. You can look in the sports locator yourself, but the coordinator for adapted sports can also provide you with personalized advice.

Check out the website of Uniek Sporten (in Dutch) for more information, tips, and sports possibilities in your area.
Meet me at the gym (in Dutch) offers a customized sports program for people with brain injury.

Referral information: You can sign up for a sport of your choice on your own.

Fees: You pay the costs for practicing a sport yourself. There are no fees for this.

Sexuality

After a stroke, a lot changes in your life. Your relationship and sex life may also change. Many people do not feel like having intimate contact and intercourse after a stroke as much as they did before the stroke. read more

Sexuality

A stroke is a major event for you and your partner. It can have both physical and mental consequences. The consequences of a stroke depend on several factors, including the type of stroke (infarction or hemorrhage) and the location of the stroke.

After a stroke, a lot changes in your life. Your relationship and sex life may also change. Many people do not feel like having intimate contact and intercourse after a stroke as much as they did before the stroke.

Do you have questions about intimacy and sexuality after a stroke, but do you find it difficult to talk about it? This applies to many patients and their partners. After all, these are subjects that we regard as private and prefer to keep to ourselves. But it can help to discuss the changes in your sexual relationship with each other or to ask for help from a doctor or other specialist.

This brochure offers support in this respect (in Dutch).

Life insurance for the chronically ill

If you are chronically ill, for example after a stroke, you may encounter many problems taking out a life insurance policy to take out a mortgage, such as a life insurance policy. read more

Life insurance for the chronically ill

If you are chronically ill, for example after a stroke, you may encounter many problems taking out a life insurance policy to take out a mortgage, such as a life insurance policy. As a chronically ill person, you often pay more premium than a healthy person. This is due to the acceptance conditions of your insurer.

Childcare with socio-medical care assessment

In some cases a hemorrage can lead to problems in the care of your children. You may then be eligible for a contribution towards the costs of childcare. read more

Childcare with socio-medical care assessment

When people suffer a stroke at a young age, there often is a young family too. Due to the consequences of a cerebral infarction or hemorrhage, this can lead to problems because of the limited strength (fatigue), sensitivity to irritation, and problems with dual-tasking. Sometimes a person can no longer work after a stroke and the partner starts working full time to avoid financial problems.

This can lead to problems in the care of your children. You may then be eligible for a contribution towards the costs of childcare. Unfortunately, this is not known to everyone. For more information, please contact your municipality. Read more information here:

VNG (in Dutch).