The Early Supported Stroke Discharge team (ESD) is an interdisciplinary team including Recreation Therapy, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Assistants, Speech Language Pathology, Communications Disorder Technician and Dietitian. The ESD services NSHA Central Zone team provides intensive rehabilitation in the person’s home for up to 6 weeks.
To be eligible for services of the ESD team you must be:
- 16 years of age and older
- Diagnosed with an acute stroke.
- Mild to moderate stroke presentation
- Living within Nova Scotia Health Central Zone and max 25 kms for the Bedford Commons (1658 Bedford Highway)
- Able to tolerate 2 hours of therapy a day.
- Open to have staff coming to their homes 5/days a week for a max of 6 weeks
How do I prepare for stroke rehabilitation in my home?
- Except to participate in therapies at least 2 hours a day
- Expect to be tired. Fatigue after stroke is the most commons change people experience.
- Plan ahead
- Schedule at least one rest each day
- You might want to have someone else cook meals, grocery shop and do the cleaning.
- Consider using online ordering and delivery of food and essentials if that is an option.
What will happen during a visit from the early Supported Stroke Discharge Team?
Team members will meet with you in your home. During the first visit a team member will work with you to set goals and start to make a rehabilitation plan.
The team will work with you, your family, and caregivers to:
- Establish your rehabilitation goals.
- Establish a daily schedule that includes therapy, rest, and daily activities.
- Support you as you move from hospital to home and adjust to changes from having a stroke.
- Teach you and others about having a stroke and issues that relate to it.
- Support your family and caregivers in meeting your needs.
- Transition you to outpatient services and integrating back into the community.
- Work with community-based services to better support your needs
Will there be any follow up?
Just like inpatient stroke rehabilitation, the ESD team typically works with people for up to 6 weeks at a time. At the end of the ESD service it is common to be referred to outpatient discipline specific services such as Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Therapy. The team will also work with you to decide if there are other outpatient/ community services required.