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Community Supports After Stroke

Community programs and services are available to support persons with stroke and their families/caregivers after discharge home from either an acute care or rehabilitation facility.  Access to these resources can be initiated by the referring hospital, primary care physician, or persons with stroke and their families/caregivers.  As there may be a cost from some services, it is recommended to ask about these additional costs that may not be covered by the  Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

Home and Community Care Support Services assess patient care needs, coordinate and deliver in-home and community-based care to support a person's health and well-being. 

They also provide access and referrals to other community services, and manage Ontario’s long-term care home placement process. 

They help patients, their families and caregivers when they need services, support and guidance to:

  • Remain safely at home with the support of health and other care professionals
  • Return home from hospital and recover at home
  • Find a family doctor or nurse practitioner
  • Find community services that support healthy, independent living
  • Transition to long-term care or supportive housing
  • Die with dignity in the setting of their choice

For information and referrals related to home and community care or long-term care home placement, please call (no area code required) 310-2222 for service in English or 310-2272 for service in French .  Click here to visit the website. 

Click on the red text to learn more about and access the program/service:

Toronto Health and Social Services Directory: is a directory to find health, social and community services in Toronto, including the former municipalities of East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough and York.

Eastern York Region North Durham Ontario Health Team’s Service Directory:  is a directory to find health, social and community services in Toronto, including the former municipalities of Eastern York Region and North Durham.

Call 8-1-1: to connect with a registered nurse for free, secure and confidential health advice, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Call 2-1-1: to find social services, financial assistance programs, or community supports, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Toronto Health Line – Stroke Resources​: is a directory to find stroke services in Toronto by postal code or community name. 

Peer support groups provide the opportunity to share ideas, information, and coping methods with others dealing with the experience of stroke. Both stroke survivors and their care partners can benefit from these groups.

Click on the red text to access the resource

March of Dimes Programs
Toronto Central Stroke Recovery Chapter
  • A program that provides peer support for stroke survivors, family members and caregivers of all ages. Members meet once a month to share experiences and listen to speakers who cover a variety of topics.  Frequent activities are also held both within and outside the usual meetings, ranging from games days, dinners, tours, trips, and parties and weekly exercise classes.
  • Contact John McGowan, the Chair of the Toronto Central Stroke Recovery Chapter at 416-904-5780, jmcgowan5780@gmail.com or Lynne Collins 416-494-1448, lynncollins48@gmail.com
Aphasia Institute
  • Offers support and training, to individuals with aphasia and their families to help them overcome communication barriers and help individuals with aphasia achieve their “life participation goals”. 
  • Click here to learn more.
Heart and Stroke Foundation - The Power of Community Facebook Groups 
 
Stroke Specific Adult Day Programs
Central Neighbourhood House
Lumacare
  • B.O.O.S.T Adult Day Program:  for older adults needing neurological support while living with stroke and other neurological disorders.  Also offer support, case management, and education for those recovering from a stroke. 

Click on the red text to learn more about the program: 

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program: a virtual 6-week program that helps individuals living with long term health conditions learn skills to manage their health. 

Click on the red text to learn more

A Caregiver's Guide to Stroke Recovery: shares stories from caregivers and the impact that a stroke can have on family members.

Caregiver Compass: tips and tools to help you manage your caregiving responsibilities

The Ontario Caregiver Organization: offers programs and services to support Ontario’s 4 million caregivers; by being their one point of access to information.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers: offers classes to help caregivers take better care of themselves while caring for a friend or relative.

Rehabilitation can help someone who has had a stroke get back abilities they lost because their brain was damaged. It can also teach them new ways to do things if they still have some problems. 

You can find therapists who provide private therapy through the following Ontario websites.  If possible, search for a therapist who specializes in stroke or neurological conditions.

Your healthcare provider may refer you to other services based on your needs.  These services may include:

Home and Community Care Support Services

Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada 

Together in Movement and Exercise (T.I.M.E.) Program

GRASP Program 

Cardiac Rehab

Assistive Technology Clinics

  • Seating and Mobility Program
  • Gait Technology Program
  • Upper Extremity Program
  • Environmental Aids for Daily Living Program
  • Physiatry services

Spasticity Clinics

Falls Prevention Programs

Aquatic Therapy Programs

Volunteer Research Opportunities: Researchers often look for volunteers to help them with their studies on new forms of therapies, the use of technology in rehabilitation or in new programs for individuals who have had a stroke. Contact the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s research page to learn more.  You can also reach out to rehabilitation hospitals to find out if they have volunteer research therapy opportunities.

Click on the red text to learn more about the program/service:

Call 9-1-1: if the risk for self-harm or harm to others is immediate

ConnexOntario: links to addiction and mental health treatment services information. Phone: 1-866-531-2600,  24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Gerstein Crisis Centre: offers crisis services. Phone: 416-929-5200, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Distress Centre Toronto: If you or someone you know is in crisis or requires emotional support, please call  416 408-4357, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   

Toronto Seniors Helpline/ Woodgreen Crisis Outreach Services for Seniors: the mobile crisis team is available 365 days a year from 9:00am-5:00pm.  Phone: 416-217-2077

Talk 4 Healing: provides support and resources for Indigenous women, by Indigenous women, across Ontario, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone: 1-855-554-HEAL (4325), Text: 1-855-554-HEAL (4325)

Click on the red text to learn more about the program/service:

Indigenous Services Canada: works with partners to improve access to high quality services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis.  Visit the website to access resources and services for various topics such as health, support services, education etc. 

Health Centres and Programs for Indigenous Peoples - Toronto Central: provides a list of community-led health programs and services for First Nations, Inuit, or Métis communities in Ontario

Click on the red text to learn more about the program/service:

Access Alliance: works to improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable immigrants, refugees, and their communities by facilitating access to five service areas: primary care, illness prevention, health promotion, community capacity building and service integration.

Orientation to Health Care in Ontario for Refugees:  a list of frequently asked questions that will help you get to know the healthcare system in Ontario and what information, programs and services are available for refugees.

Immigrant, Newcomer and Refugee Services: a list of non-profit or government programs and services that provide support for immigration, the refugee and citizenship process and other key programs and services.

Connected Canadians: a free service that supports older adults with technology training and support. Volunteers with a high comfort level in technology are paired with senior clients to tackle clients’ various technology questions, frequently learning together in real time.