Improved resource to aid stroke recovery journey

The new ‘My Stroke Journey’ resource is designed for stroke survivors and their families to assist in their stroke recovery.

Stroke Foundation New South Wales executive officer Teresa Howarth explains the information pack has been refined following consultation with health professionals, stroke survivors and their families.

“Stroke is a sudden and potentially devastating  health crisis that strikes without warning, leaving people no time to prepare,’’ Ms Howarth says.

“The new My Stroke Journey pack offers stroke survivors and their families a comprehensive overview  of  all  the  support  and  services  they  will  need  following  their  stroke, in one convenient and easy to understand place.”

The  My  Stroke  Journey brings together information on the different types of stroke, causes, impacts on family and friends, details on the hospital process, health services available, risks of having another stroke and information for carers and family.

The resource also features advice and reflections from stroke survivors who have ‘been there’ to guide new stroke patients through their recovery journey.

“We consulted widely with health professionals, stroke survivors and their families about what support they needed in the first crucial weeks after stroke,” Ms Howarth explains.

“The overwhelming feedback was that planning for ongoing recovery after discharge from hospital was a priority. My Stroke Journey now comes with an integrated care plan template that a range of health professionals can use, working with their patients to track their recovery.

“The new My Stroke Journey also guides health professionals to direct their patients to online recovery resource enableme, so that patients can continue to make improvements to their health and wellbeing long after they leave hospital care.

“Hospital  is  just  one  step  on  the  stroke  journey  for  survivors  and  their  families;  this information pack will help provide a road map for the rest of the way,” according to Ms Howarth.

Campbelltown Hospital Clinical Nurse Consultant Angela Firtko welcomed the redevelopment of the specialist information pack, saying it would be of great benefit to patients long after they leave the hospital.

“For many the transition  from hospital  to home is just the start of their stroke journey,  a journey that may take months, years or even a lifetime,’’ Ms Firtko says.

“Leaving the security of hospital and navigating the broader health system can be stressful for survivors and their families. My Stroke Journey makes this process easier by providing vital information and links to services in the community.”

Ms Howarth says the redeveloped My Stroke Journey would provide much needed support to stroke survivors and their families.

“There are more than 450,000 stroke survivors living in Australia and around a third of them have ongoing care needs. It is vital that those affected by stroke get the support they need to make the best recovery possible,’’ she says.

“The new My Stroke Journey will empower stroke patients and their families in the road to recovery.”

For more information visit the Stroke Foundation website.