Stroke Rehab brochure Sept-2013

Stroke Rehabilitation Program

Items to bring to the rehabilitation unit � comfortable clothing (easy to put on and take off) e.g., slacks/shorts, sleeveless tops are helpful in therapy � comfortable lace-up walking shoes (if you do not have any, please do not buy new shoes; a therapist will recommend shoes after you arrive) � hearing aids with spare batteries (if required) � glasses � dentures (if worn) wrist watch � copy of any special diet which you have been following at home � any equipment that you were using at home prior to your admission (such as a cane, walker, wheelchair, or ankle/foot brace) � all medications that you were taking at home prior to your hospital admission calendar � toiletries: kleenex, shampoo, comb/brush, toothbrush/paste, electric shaver, makeup, etc. � the following items are optional: recent pictures or photo albums; a list of your interests, hobbies, names of family members; your own pillow or quilt

Contact Providence Care Stroke Rehabilitation Program St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital 340 Union Street P.O. Box 3600 Kingston, ON K7L 5A2

Please ask on your arrival about anything else you would like to bring to your room (e.g., television, radio).

Further information and details will be available after admission to the Stroke Rehabilitation Program

www.providencecare.ca Content of this publication is available in accessible formats upon request to the Communications Dept.

September 2013

Working with you to maximize your independence and quality of life

Treatment The treatment program on the rehabilitation unit involves a team approach in which a number of health care professionals work with YOU, as part of the team to plan and carry out your stroke rehabilitation program. Your daily medical care will be provided by nurses and doctors and your rehabilitation program will be supervised by a doctor who specializes in Rehabilitation Medicine.

Purpose The purpose of the Stroke Rehabilitation Program is to help you, the stroke survivor, become as independent as possible in your mobility and self care tasks.

The average length of stay is six weeks.

Who will benefit The inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Program is directed towards people 16 years of age and older who are: � recovering from the disabling effects of a recent stroke � medically stable and for whom all acute investigations have been completed � willing to actively participate in the Stroke Rehabilitation Program � able to learn, or have family/friends willing to learn, the necessary skills to become as independent as possible

Progress towards independence is achieved through daily participation in therapy. For most patients this will involve two to three hours per day of structured time with a physiotherapist, occupational therapist and possibly a speechlanguage pathologist.

It is expected that you will continue to practice what you have learned in therapy on the rehabilitation unit. The nurses will assist and encourage you on the ward to work towards your goal of independence.

In addition, you may be under the care of other health care workers specific to your needs. They could include a social worker, discharge planner, psychologist, pharmacist, dietitian, spiritual care associate, or a case manager from the Community Care Access Centre.

Family members are encouraged to be active participants in your recovery. They are expected, if at all possible and barring any physical limitations, to attend therapy about once a week, to provide assistance/support in applying what you’ve learned, and to prepare for any difficulties that might be encountered at home prior to your discharge.

Preparing for discharge Team members work with you and your family to plan your discharge. Planning begins soon after your admission to the program.

The timing of your discharge depends, above all, on your ability to return home as safely and as independently as possible.

Whenever possible, early discharge home with continued rehabilitation as an outpatient is encouraged in order to allow others to benefit from the inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Program.

WEEKEND and DAY PASSES are part of the Stroke Rehabilitation Program. Family or supportive others are expected to participate in the education, planning and preparation for your day pass or your first weekend at home.

Arrangements such as accessibility to your home, equipment, home care services and transportation must be made well in advance of the first weekend home and must be approved by the rehab team. A questionnaire that will help us plan for future weekends will be sent home with you for completion.

Community services may be arranged before your discharge if you are eligible and require assistance in returning home. These services could include in-home visits by a nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or other professionals. You may also be eligible for outpatient therapy or the Day Hospital.

If your care needs are too great to allow you to return home, alternate living arrangements (possibly residential, nursing home or complex continuing care) will be discussed with you and arrangements made for your discharge to the most appropriate place.