Recovery can continue for years, with survivor family and friends playing essential role
OTTAWA, June 10, 2013 /CNW/ - More Canadians are surviving strokes due to advances in awareness and medical services but a new report by the Heart and Stroke Foundation reveals that more than one-third of Canadians mistakenly believe that the recovery period is limited to a few months.
Stroke recovery is a journey that can continue for years or a lifetime, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation 2013 Stroke Report, which outlines the importance of family caregivers in the process. A poll* carried out for the report reveals that half of Canadians are directly touched by stroke and even more striking, that one in five Canadians have been involved in the support and care of a stroke survivor.
"Our poll confirmed what we have long suspected - that stroke touches the lives of many Canadians, and family members and friends play an important role in the recovery journey," says Ian Joiner, Director, Stroke, Heart and Stroke Foundation. "Obviously the best story is when a stroke is prevented, but we need to pay more attention to every aspect of stroke - prevention, recognition, treatment, and rehabilitation and recovery."
315,000 Canadians are currently living with the effects of stroke and this will increase
Fifty thousand strokes occur in Canada each year and 315,000 Canadians are living with the effects of stroke. As the population continues to age this number will increase - as will the number of Canadians caring for loved ones post-stroke. Now, 60 per cent of people who have a stroke report that they need help afterwards and 80 per cent have restrictions to their daily activities.
The economic cost is also high; stroke costs the Canadian economy $3.6 billion a year in physician services, hospital costs, lost wages, and decreased productivity.
"Combine these factors and a complete story of stroke emerges," says Joiner, adding that advances in awareness and treatment mean deaths from stroke are actually declining. "More Canadians will be living with the effects of stroke. Recovery can continue for years, and many Canadians find themselves supporting stroke survivors through that recovery journey. The urgency and need for action is clear."
Rehabilitation and caregiver support are essential in the stroke recovery journey
Rehabilitation is a key part of the stroke recovery journey and rehabilitation research and enhancements to services and access will be more important than ever.
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Heart and Stroke Foundation report emphasizes there is life after stroke