Stroke affects up to 10% of older adults in Canada, making it the third leading cause of death nationally and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. For many people, recovery from the initial event is just the beginning of a longer period of rehabilitation to restore lost function caused by the stroke.
Those who suffer and survive a stroke can face a variety of temporary or permanent disabilities that differ in severity and impact their ability to complete activities of daily living. For instance, approximately 80% of people experience limitations moving their arms or legs following a stroke, while over 30% encounter difficulties communicating. These problems can feel like insurmountable obstacles on the road to recovery. However, research has identified several strategies that can help address these issues and aid with rehabilitation efforts, including mirror therapy, speech and language therapy, and walking training.
We have compiled some of the latest research on these strategies below.
