Outline  The Evidence  Program overview  Local Initiatives

Living with Stroke: The Evidence  Research tells us: Post d/c time is difficult Psychosocial support improves outcomes  ↑ QOL  ↓ Caregiver stress  ↓ Re-admit rates  ↓ Depression  CBPR:6.2 Patient and Family Education

Living with Stroke: CBPR 6.2  Patient and Family Education should include: Information sharing Timed Right Caregiver training Promote self efficacy Self management skills  Action planning  Problem solving  Modeling behaviours  Group support and guidance »Evidence Level B

Living with Stroke: CBPR 6.2 Self Management training should include: Medications Exercise Symptom management Risk factor management Secondary prevention Evidence Level B Emotions Cognitive and memory changes Communication with health professionals Health related problem solving

Living with Stroke: Development  Revised in 2006  9 pilots: February, March, April, 2007  6 in Ontario, 2 in Saskatchewan, 1 in Alberta  Urban, rural, north, marginalized population  Evaluations conducted on content and facilitator/participant experience

Living with Stroke: Program  FREE community based education program for people with stroke and their caregivers  Six two hour sessions  Total 12 hours – 6 weeks  Community based

Living with Stroke: Facilitators  Facilitators: health care providers, use of peer facilitators supported  Remove the “clinical hat” – not the expert  Trained by HSFO (FREE)  Full Day training -program and group facilitation

Living with Stroke: Facilitators  Ability to engage participants in discussion and skills in dealing with group dynamics  Comfort in teaching using a discussion format rather than didactic teaching methods  Facilitation experience and ability to manage participant expectations  Knowledge of stroke across the continuum of care  Community orientation rather than acute care focus  Knowledge and awareness of local community resources  Client-focused approach to care

Living with Stroke: Facilitators  Ongoing support for facilitators Newsletter Training opportunities (eg. Recruitment)

Living with Stroke: Participants  People with stroke and their family member/caregivers.  Living in the community.  Completed active rehabilitation.  Readiness for the program.

Living with Stroke: Objectives  To provide participants with introductory information, tools, and support to: Understand their condition Improve quality of life Reduce the risk of another stroke Participate in recovery Find the help needed to adjust to life after stroke Practice problem solving and goal setting

Living with Stroke: Topics  Impact of stroke on your life  Physical changes and activity  Importance of nutrition to your recovery  Communication and mental function issues  Emotions after stroke  Maintaining activities and relationships  Reducing your risk of stroke  Using your knowledge to continue with your recovery and your life.

Living with Stroke: Format  Interactive workshop  Discussion  Videos -Survivor and Professional  Activities to help participants learn about dealing with stroke  Weekly goal setting  Peer support & modeling  Facilitator and Participant manuals

Living with Stroke: Feedback  Participants generally rated the program very highly.  Three main reasons for participating wanting to learn more about living with stroke learn more about managing and coping learn about how to prevent another stroke.

Living with Stroke: Feedback  Realized that they were not alone  Value in learning from others experiences and understanding that progress would be slow but there is hope of recovery and improved function  Caregivers learned what the major stroke issues were and the need for patience during recovery as well as how to search out support.

Living with Stroke: Website 

Living with Stroke: Local Initiatives For example – fill in news about your region  Oshawa program beginning April 30 th  Recruiting facilitators May 2012 training session in Newmarket

Living with Stroke: Local Initiatives Discussion In your current role, how can you support the Living with Stroke™ program in your Community

QUESTIONS? THANK YOU