Wellstar Neurological Rehabilitation
After a stroke, aneurysm rupture or other neurological event, people can find expert rehabilitation services and compassionate support at Wellstar.
Advanced Stroke Recovery & Neurological Rehabilitation
- Overview
- Conditions We Treat
- Stroke Recovery
- Advanced Therapies & Technology
- Support Groups & Community Programs
After a stroke or aneurysm rupture, Wellstar’s inpatient and outpatient neurological rehabilitation programs help people regain independence and return to everyday life—whether that means work, school or the activities they love most. Our care teams combine advanced technology with a patient-centered approach for the best outcomes.
Multidisciplinary approach to care
Our highly trained specialists bring neurological expertise and compassion to help people restore mobility, communication and daily function. Led by rehabilitation medicine physicians—also called physiatrists—our care teams collaborate across specialties to create personalized plans that support each person’s recovery. Your care team may also include:- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech-language pathologists
- Rehabilitation neuropsychologists
- Case managers
- Neurological ophthalmologists
Nationally accredited neurological rehabilitation programs
Wellstar is one of only two inpatient rehabilitation programs in Metro Atlanta accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). At Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar Cobb Medical Centers, our inpatient rehabilitation programs focus on people with neurological conditions and hold dual CARF accreditation in adult medical and stroke specialties. Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center provides exceptional acute inpatient rehabilitation for people recovering from stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, neuromuscular disorders and other complex neurological conditions. Patients also have access to rehabilitation services at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center in Augusta and Wellstar Roosevelt in Warm Springs, including inpatient acute care and outpatient therapy to support recovery, independence and quality of life.Neurological rehabilitation for children
Wellstar Children’s of Georgia offers specialized pediatric rehabilitation for children with neurological conditions.- At Wellstar Children's of Georgia Pediatric Center in Kennesaw, specially trained teams provide personalized physical, occupational and speech-language therapy to care for neurological patients.
- In Augusta, Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia offers comprehensive acute inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation for newborns through young adults, which includes caring for children with brain or spinal cord injuries, neuromuscular disorders, neurodevelopment conditions and more.
Conditions We Treat
Wellstar’s neurological rehabilitation programs support people recovering from a range of conditions, including:- Stroke
- Aneurysm
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Peripheral nerve injuries and neuropathies
- Brain tumors
- Complex neurological conditions affecting mobility, communication or cognition
Stroke Recovery
Recovering from a stroke takes time, expert care and the right support. A stroke can affect areas of the brain that control specific functions. Rehabilitation helps other brain cells take over those tasks through repetitive, targeted therapy. Therapy often begins in the hospital and continues at one of our specialized inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation locations, where people may participate in several hours of therapy each day. Depending on each person’s unique needs, recovery may involve:- Physical therapy to restore movement and balance
- Occupational therapy to build independence in activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Speech-language therapy to support communication, cognition and swallowing
- Cognitive challenges, such as memory or attention issues
- Difficulty with daily tasks (bathing, dressing)
- Aphasia (language difficulties)
- Hemiparesis (weakness on one side)
- Shoulder pain
- Vision problems
- Swallowing difficulties
Advanced Therapies & Technology
Therapists across Wellstar use advanced rehabilitation tools, technology and therapeutic spaces to make recovery engaging, effective and tailored to each person’s needs.- At Wellstar Kennestone, robotic-assisted therapy helps re-educate muscles through high-repetition, game-based movement training.
- Interactive lightboard systems challenge patients to improve cognition, hand-eye coordination, endurance and visual attention in a fun, engaging way.
- At Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar Cobb, therapeutic gardens provide a unique way to build balance, strength, coordination and cognitive skills through planting and maintaining garden spaces.
Support Groups & Community Programs
Neurological rehabilitation involves both patients and caregivers. Wellstar offers support groups and programs to help people and families navigate life after stroke or brain injury.- Stroke Peer Visitor Program: Available in Cobb, Paulding, Cherokee, Bartow and Douglas counties, this program connects stroke and brain injury survivors with trained peers for encouragement and support.
- Stroke support groups: Survivors and caregivers can find connection and community through group meetings, including Unlimited Possibilities, which meets monthly at Wellstar Kennestone Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, and the Wellstar North Fulton Stroke Support Group.
- Aphasia Conversation Group and Aphasia Support Group (Wellstar Kennestone Outpatient Rehabilitation Center): For people with language impairments following stroke
- Caregiver training program: Led by rehabilitation neuropsychologists to help families adjust to new roles and gain practical skills
- ACHIEVE Community Reentry Program (Wellstar Kennestone Outpatient Rehabilitation Center): Provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary therapy for people who need continued rehabilitation after a neurological illness or injury. Guided by a board-certified physiatrist, the program combines intensive therapy and real-world skill-building to help participants return to school, work and community life. Ninety percent of participants who complete the program meet their goals for community independence.