Each year, the Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario and Ontario Health atHome review the Community Stroke Rehab Program. The latest review for the 2023/24 fiscal year found that 542 stroke patients received community-based rehabilitation, which is consistent with the previous year. The number of therapy visits by rehab assistants increased by 178 per cent from 459 in 2022/23 to 1,277 in 2023/24, with 95 patients across the southeast area receiving at least one visit.
Another major highlight is that 87 per cent of patients who received therapy services from Kaymar Rehabilitation (Ontario Health atHome’s contracted therapy provider for Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington) reported improved function after completing the program. Kaymar piloted the Return to Normal Living Index, a patient-reported outcome measure that asked patients to complete a standardized questionnaire about their health status and quality of life before starting the program and after completing it. This tool is an important way to evaluate the patient’s experience and to guide the future development of the program. We look forward to continuing to work with therapy providers to enhance program outcomes and further align with Ontario Health’s Community Stroke Rehabilitation Model of Care.
Program Overview and Key Findings
The Community Stroke Rehab Program provides up to 12 weeks of therapy for stroke patients discharged from hospital or inpatient rehab. Services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology and social work, plus access to nursing, personal support workers, respiratory therapy, registered dietitians, equipment and supplies.
2023/24 Highlights:
- 542 admissions to the Community Stroke Rehab Program (consistent with previous fiscal year).
- 77 % of patients received visits from at least two disciplines, 6.4% of patients received visits from all four disciplines.
- Median wait time for first therapy visit was 5 days (same as previous fiscal year).
- 95 patients received at least one visit from a rehab assistant (increase from previous fiscal year)
- 150 Community Rehab Planning meetings held (consistent with previous fiscal year), mostly with patients leaving inpatient rehab
- 60% of patients had at least one virtual visit from their therapist, though most happened in person
For more information:
- Catherine Nicol, Ontario Health atHome | 613-310-2222 ext. 4622 | Catherine.Nicol@ontariohealthathome.ca
- Natalie Aitken, Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario | 613-583-5968 | natalie.aitken@kingstonhsc.ca.