This page includes resources created by subject matter experts within the stroke system to support best practices. These resources include clinical practice tools and stroke awareness materials. Resources are listed below in alphabetical order.
Click an image below to link to the tool or website.
Aerobic Exercise after Stroke Guidelines
A focus of the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery is the role of exercise in improving physical and cognitive recovery after stroke. As such, two resource guides — one for patients and one for clinicians — have been developed. Both are based on best practice recommendations for Aerobic Exercise after Stroke. Click here for the clinician's guide to Aerobic Exercise after Stroke.
Aerobic Exercise after Stroke - Patient's Guide
A focus of the HSF Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery is the role of exercise in improving physical and cognitive recovery after stroke. As such, two resource guides — one for patients and one for clinicians — have been developed. Both are based on best practice recommendations for Aerobic Exercise after Stroke. Click here for the patient's guide to Aerobic Exercise after Stroke.
Aphasia Series (Communication) Videos
Practical post-stroke tutorials: “How to enhance conversations when the person you care about has communication deficits” brought to you by the Champlain Regional Stroke Network, the Aphasia Centre of Ottawa and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Click here to access the video series.
Aphasia Institute Introduction to Supported Conversation (SCA™) eModule
This is a short self-paced online module. It is a prerequisite for Aphasia Institue workshops and is hosted on the Aphasia Institute Community Hub, an online platform that enables healthcare professionals to register for professional training and to join webinars. Click here to register for the Supported Conversation eModule.
Supported Conversation (SCA™) Resources
You can register with the Aphasia Institute for free resources such as the Working Together Series. This series of pictographic resources can help facilitate a conversation between health care practitioners and people with aphasia. They use techniques of 'Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia™ (SCA™) developed by the Aphasia Institute. They can also be used to help communicate with people who have limited English language skills. Click here to access these free Supported Conversation resources.
Champlain Community Support Network
This is an online platform where members of the community and healthcare providers can search for services, book intake appointments, and refer directly to community services. Many community and therapy services appropriate for stroke survivors and their family members in the Champlain LHIN are listed and receive referrals through this eReferral site. Click here to search the Champlain Community Support Network for services. Then request your free login to begin linking your patients to the services they need in the community.
Community Exercise Classes
Free virtual (online) community exercise classes for stroke survivors within the Champlain region. All fitness levels welcome. Program includes aerobic exercise, balance, strengthening and stretching components. Exercises can be modified for sitting or standing. A collaborative effort by Family Physiotherapy, Heart Wise Exercise (UOHI), the Champlain Regional Stroke Network and funded through the senior fitness exercise program run through Champlain LHIN Home and Community Care. (Offered in English only at this time). Click here for the flyer and registration information
COVID-19 Response Site
The Champlain Community Support Network has provided this bilingual regional site to support seniors and adults living with a physical disability to access community supports such as Transportation, Grocery delivery, Meals on Wheels, and Telephone Safety Checks. There are also links to public health resources and a phone line for people who are feeling isolated. Click here to access the Covid-19 Response site.
Driving after Stroke or TIA in Ontario
This patient-focused resource guides the stroke survivor's return to driving following their stroke. It is intended for use by both health care providers (to help guide the return to driving conversation) and patients (by demystifying the return to driving process). The appendixes provide additional information and aphasia-friendly flow charts to simplify the journey back to driving for survivors. There are two separate booklets to view. Click here for the stroke booklet and click here for the TIA booklet. *Produced by the Stroke Network of Southwestern Ontario.
*Please click 'Français' at the top of the page for the French version of each booklet. Stroke booklets are also available in Arabic, Dutch, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. TIA booklets also in Arabic, Dutch, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.
GRASP - the Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program
GRASP is an arm and hand exercise program for people with stroke. It can be completed by the patient on their own as homework. It is highly recommended that patients use GRASP with assistance from family or caregivers. GRASP has been tested by a randomized controlled trial and the results have been published and shown to be effective. We are pleased to be able to offer the program manual and GRASP books free of charge.
Hemiplegic Arm Protocol
This package has been developed by the Southwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network to assist health care providers interested in the implementation of the best practice guideline: Management of the Hemi Arm. Click here for information on how to implement the hemiplegic-arm best practice protocol.
iWalkAssess approach to walking assessment post-stroke
A clinical toolkit is now available to help physiotherapists use an evidence-informed approach to administering the 10-metre walk test and the 6-minute walk test with people post-stroke.
The iWalk Toolkit includes a guide, videos, and a new app called iWalkAssess. Click here to access the iWalk resources, designed to help physiotherapists administer the walk tests, interpret test performance, educate patients, and set goals.
Occupational Therapy Toolkit
The Occupational Therapy Toolkit is a collection of 354 full-page illustrated patient handouts that you can print and give to your patients, including pages specific to stroke deficits. The handouts are organized by 97 treatment guides and are based on current research and best practice. This 787 page practical resource is available as an eBook in PDF format or as a print book. The book is in the 7th edition and was last updated in 2018. French handouts are also available by emailing Cheryl Hall at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Click here to access the Occupational Therapy Toolkit.
OT Toolkit for Assessment & Treatment of the Upper Extremity
The purpose of this toolkit is to improve the consistency of implementing best practice management of the upper extremity following stroke. It provides information to assist occupational therapists with clinical decision making as they assess, treat and educate clients recovering from stroke. The affected upper extremity has been categorized into low, intermediate or high levels to guide occupational therapists with selecting appropriate assessment tools and treatments. Click here to access the OT Toolkit for Assessment and Treatment of the Upper Extremity
Post-Stroke Checklist
This Post-Stroke Checklist (PSC) has been developed to help healthcare professionals identify post-stroke problems amenable to treatment and subsequent referral. The PSC is a brief and easy-to-use tool, intended for completion with the patient and the help of a caregiver, if necessary. PSC administration provides a standardized approach for the identification of long-term problems in stroke survivors and facilitates appropriate referral for treatment. Click here for the Post-Stroke Checklist.
Rehabilitation Intensity for Stroke
The Rehab Intensity slide deck is a provincial resource developed by the Ontario Regional Stroke Network Rehab Coordinators Group. Learn more about Rehabilitation Intensity requirements and why they are important for patient outcomes. Test your knowledge at the end with a quiz.
Stroke Rehabilitation – Key Messages and Resources for Healthcare Providers
This document is meant to be a reference for healthcare providers working in stroke rehabilitation. The Champlain Regional Stroke Network Best Practice Team has summarized 2-3 key messages for each stroke rehab topic (left column) and provided links to websites where you can find more information (hyperlinks in right-hand column). Click here to access the stroke rehab key messages.
Return to Work Questionnaire
This is an online self-assessment guide that focuses on individual recovery efforts and provides information about one's ability or readiness to return to work. Click here for the Return to Work self-assessment
(*Posted with permission from the creators at the South-Western Ontario Stroke Network)
Self-Management Toolkit: A Resource for Health Care Providers
The purpose of this site is to allow healthcare providers to quickly learn the basics of helping patients be better self-managers of their health care. It contains evidence-based practical tools and resources that providers can use to support patients and families. Click here for the Self-Management Toolkit.
Stroke in Young Adults: A resource book for patients and families
Prepared by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, this booklet is for young adults, their families and caregivers. It is intended to complement other stroke resources. Click here for the Stroke in Young Adults resource book.
Taking action for optimal community and long-term stroke care (TACLS)
This resource produced by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada provides guidance to healthcare staff on how to care for people after they leave the acute care setting. Stroke survivors and caregivers may also find this resource helpful with its focus on rehabilitation and recovery. Click here for the Taking Action for Optimal Community and Long-term stroke care resource book.
ViaTherapy App
Best practice and evidence-based recovery interventions for upper extremity stroke rehabilitation – at your fingertips. Click here to access the ViaTherapy App.
Virtual Care Toolkit
Heart and Stroke has developed a toolkit for conducting virtual visits. The document covers acute stroke, stroke prevention and rehab and provides guidance on conducting virtual visits all while meeting stroke best practices. Click here to access the Canadian Stroke Best Practices Virtual Care Toolkit
Your Stroke Journey
This guidebook was produced by the Heart and Stroke Foundation for adults who have had a stroke. Caregivers, family members and friends may also find helpful strategies to support loved ones in their recovery and return to daily life. Click here to access the Your Stroke Journey guide book.