Timmins, ON – While recovering from open heart surgery, Noel Lambert had a stroke that affected the right side of his body and his speech.

“For a month-and-a-half I couldn’t even talk, couldn’t even sit up,” Mr. Lambert said. “My right arm and leg were totally affected.”

Every 5 minutes someone in Canada has a stroke. This happens when there is either a blockage or a rupture of a blood vessel supplying the brain, resulting in damage to brain tissue.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in Canadian adults.  June is Stroke month, a good time to learn more about services supporting the more than 108,000 people in Canada who have one each year.

“Ontario Health’s model of care for Community Stroke Rehabilitation is an innovative, flexible and forward-thinking strategy that values allied health professionals and patient-centered care. It offers an extremely effective pathway to provide best-practice stroke care to patients during a very difficult time of their lives,” said Kate Fyfe, President and CEO of TADH. “Not only does it help people when they most need it, the program also reduces the likelihood that they will need to be readmitted to hospital.”

A new Community Stroke Rehabilitation Program offered at Timmins and District Hospital (TADH), was launched last fall through Ontario Health. It is supporting patients like Mr. Lambert with their rehabilitation goals after they leave the hospital

Mr. Lambert, after spending several months in hospital, was discharged from TADH last November and shortly thereafter began in the hospital’s Community Stroke Rehabilitation program. With poor mobility and winter weather to contend with, team members visited him at home three times weekly to provide different forms of rehab therapy. His home was also assessed, and recommendations were made on ways to make it more accessible.

“I’ve seen a big change,” said Mr. Lambert, who has regained his speech and can now walk using a walker.

Services the program offers include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services. The team is also connected with a stroke navigator through an ongoing partnership with the March of Dimes.

“The Community Stroke Rehabilitation program aims to provide patient-centered and coordinated care in a setting and at a frequency that best meets the needs of the person with a stroke,” explained Brad Duclos, Senior Outpatient Physiotherapist and Community Stroke Rehabilitation program coordinator. “This allows our specialized team the flexibility to provide care in our clinic, virtually, at the patient’s home or within their community.”

Typically, people take part in rehab exercises and activities with professionals on the team twice a week (this can vary up to five times a week) for eight to 12 weeks depending on their goals. Patients can remain in the program for up to a year by re-entering at multiple points throughout their journey.  After completing the program, the team may refer patients to one of the hospital’s community partners for additional services.

“It really made a big difference,” said Liette Lambert, Noel’s wife. “They’re really amazing. We’re very thankful.”

Quick Facts: Community Stroke Rehabilitation program

• What: Specialized interdisciplinary team providing physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech language therapy to support stroke patients in their recovery after leaving the hospital.

• Eligibility: Ontario resident, 18 years or older, living at home or a retirement home, diagnosed with stroke within the past year, medically stable, interested and consenting to the program, achievable rehabilitation goals

• Where: Outpatient clinic, patient’s home or community (within 100 kms), in community, or by virtual appointment

Photos:

Main: Noel Lambert has regained mobility through the Community Stroke Rehabilitation Program and now can get around with a walker.

Below: Community Stroke Rehabilitation Program team members include: in the front (from left to right) Emily Brunet, Rehab Assistant, Stephanie Cheng, Occupational Therapist, Gabrielle Dupuis, Speech Language Pathologist; in the back (from left to right) Elizabeth Rosaci, Clerk, Brad McArthur, Physiotherapist, and Brad Duclos, Coordinator.

Our commitment: TADH operates within the traditional lands of the Mattagami First Nation, located in Treaty 9 territory. Our team is committed to building strong, lasting relationships with Indigenous communities as we acknowledge the diversity, history and heritage of Indigenous Peoples in the North.

For more information contact TADH’s Communications Team: 705-267-2131 Ext. 2409 or communications@tadh.com