The Southwestern Ontario (SWO) Stroke Network completed community engagement forums with stroke survivors, their loved ones and community service providers to determine barriers to living fully in the community after stroke.   One of the priorities identified in the forums and documented in the report “Pathways for People with Stroke to Live Fully in the Community” was the need for “return to work” services..  Currently, 10 % of stroke survivors are people under the age of 50 and in the prime of their working life.  Research indicates that return to work rates after stroke are as low as 7%.  However, employment is one of the most important social roles that a person fulfills and not working has negative impacts on one’s overall quality of life, health, finances, social isolation and self-efficacy.  Stroke survivors and health care professionals need to be aware of how to navigate the process of return to work after stroke.   A toolkit of resources has been developed to assist stroke survivors and health care professionals navigate the process of return to work after stroke.

Return to Work after Stroke Toolkit:

Return to Work Assessment Guide:  This self assessment tool assesses 5 critical areas to returning to work (physical ability, communication, thinking skills, emotions, driving/transportation).  The stroke survivor evaluates their current abilities against the demands of their job or a job they would like.  The tool is designed to help focus the individual’s recovery efforts and inform them about their ability to return to work at any given time.

Return to Work Agency Inventories:  List of agencies that provide services to persons with stroke who are preparing to re-enter the workforce.  An inventory has been developed for 6 stroke districts in SWO, Canada.

Returning to Work in Thames Valley

Returning to Work in Huron Perth

Returning to Work in Grey Bruce

Returning to Work in Sarnia Lambton

Returning to Work in Chatham Kent

Returning to Work in Windsor Essex

Government Financial Supports:  Document outlining the Federal and Provincial government supports and how to access these resources. 

Job Benefits:  Document highlighting important questions to ask employers and insurers about job benefits.

Literature Review:  Review of the current literature on return to work after stroke.

Next Steps:  Presently, the toolkit of resources is being developed into a website that will navigate a stroke survivor through the process of return to work.  Algorithms have been developed to guide website users through the toolkit resources based on individual needs. 

Acknowledgments: Members of the Return to Work after Stroke Working Group include John Barry, Erin Bickell, Jeff Blanchard, Lynn Curley, Paula Gilmore, Lisa Halley, Shannon Howson, Doris Noble, Joan Ruston Berge, Donna Scott, Martha Scott, Mary Solomon, Deb Willems, and Theresa VanDamme

Stay tuned…