Rehabilitation & Community Reintegration
Rehabilitation and successful reintegration back into the community are an essential part of treatment for stroke patients. More than 4,000 British Columbians survived a stroke in 2007-08, and it is estimated that more than 40,000 stroke survivors here live with varying levels of physical and cognitive disabilities.
Rehabilitation can enhance the brain’s capacity for recovery. However, stroke survivors and their caregivers in B.C. do not always have access to organized, well-designed, high-quality rehabilitation services that are close to home. While there are high-level rehabilitation centres in some regions, comprehensive rehabilitation services are not available province wide.
The BC Stroke Strategy recommends developing Telerehab across British Columbia as part of the Provincial Stroke Action Plan. It also recommends:
- acute inpatient rehabilitation for stroke patients
- creating more organized stroke units across the province
- facilitating early dupported discharge, where appropriate
The Provincial Stroke Action Plan was tabled with the BC Ministry of Health Services and regional Health Authorities in December 2010 for a decision around governance, funding and implementation.
In May 2010, the BC Stroke Rehabilitation and Reintegration Framework and Addendum were released. It sets out stages and levels of care, guides structuring and allocation of resources and provides a roadmap for regional care. For more information, click here.
The March 2008 Rehabilitation & Community Reintegration Project Plan is here.