7 goals to add to your recovery plan

Recovery after a stroke isn’t just about the physical aspect of getting your strength and mobility back. Our minds are so powerful they can hold us back or push us forward, which is why you should include some of these goals in your recovery plan: Be kind to yourself You’ll have highs and lows, days […]

Coping with uncertainty after a stroke

Uncertainty can be a large part of the stroke recovery journey. After a stroke, you may find yourself asking questions about what comes next, when will you regain your strength and mobility, why did this happen, and more. Every stroke is different and every recovery journey is different — there is no right or wrong […]

Disability after a stroke

Every year, 15 million people around the world are affected by stroke. Of those, it is estimated 50% will live with permanent or chronic disability. The physical and mental effects of surviving a stroke can significantly impact a survivor’s chances of recovery, mental wellbeing, and future life plans such as going back to work, traveling, […]

Armored — Dawn’s care-coaching story

A caregiver is rarely “ready” to start taking care of someone battling an illness. And sadly, stroke doesn’t announce itself with enough time to prepare yourself as a caregiver. In some way, Dawn had been preparing for this role for many years. Her husband, Daran, had suffered Guillain Barre Syndrome 18 years ago and survived […]

Changes in behavior after a stroke

Changes in behavior after a stroke are common, expected and treatable. Stroke survivors will usually experience changes in mood, depression, frustration, and anxiety, among others. Having a stroke is traumatic and our bodies and minds react to that trauma. Stroke survivors and caregivers alike should be aware of these behavior changes and seek support from […]

Taking care of your mental wellbeing as a caregiver

Caregiving is physically challenging, time-consuming, and mentally draining — taking care of your mental wellbeing as a caregiver is as important as taking care of others. “You can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first.” is a common and very appropriate saying. Your mental well-being as a caregiver is essential […]

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT)

Rehabilitation of upper limbs can look very different for many people. However, constraint-induced movement therapy (or CIMT) is frequently used as a therapy to re-learn to use the affected limb.  Constraint-induced movement therapy basically means limiting the use of the less affected limb in order to force the brain and more affected limb to work […]

Telehealth during quarantine

Since lockdown started, pretty much everything in our lives changed. Our entire routine was thrown out of the window and we had to suddenly adjust to a new way of doing things. The only thing that has not changed, and is in fact more pressing now than ever, is getting access to health services — […]

Stroke prevention — what you need to know

As mentioned in the warning signs, there are elements of stroke we can control and others we don’t. Those factors that we can control have to do with our lifestyle and certain medical conditions that are preventable and treatable. Lifestyle changes Diet, exercise, and consumption of tobacco and alcohol, are all factors we can control […]

What are the types of stroke?

There are three main types of stroke; each one of them results in different treatment and recovery therapies.  Ischemic stroke An ischemic stroke occurs when a blockage, usually a blood clot, in an artery prevents blood flow to the brain. The lack of oxygenated blood flow will make brain cells stop working, which is why […]