The CRSN originally created this page to list resources for our stakeholders during the height of the COVID pandemic. They remain relevant for other reasons. Additional resources were available to support stroke survivors, families, and caregivers in response to the pandemic. and can be found through this link.
Stroke Guidance Documents
BACKGROUND: To protect staff, facilitate infectious disease evaluations, and conserve PPE, many hospitals have made the decision to admit all COVID-19 positive patients to specialized COVID-19 units. Many of the staff on these units will not have stroke care training. Stroke guidance documents for stroke best practices have been developed to support staff unfamiliar with managing acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients. This information is intended to be “guidance rather than directive” and is not meant to replace clinical judgment.
Interdisciplinary Resources
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Aphasia Institute Pictographs: The Aphasia Institute has developed a series of templates to facilitate conversations about COVID-19. There are templates about vaccinations, COVID screening, and giving consent to participate in online programs. To access these and other editable 'ParticiPics', visit the Aphasia Institute website.
- Champlain Community Support Network: Access support services including pharmacy and food delivery, Meals on Wheels, telephone support, transportation options, and dementia support.
- CorHealth COVID-19 Resource Center for Stroke: CorHealth has provided an up-to-date listing of resources that you may find useful, such as virtual rehab and online community resources.
- Heart and Stroke Foundation Coronavirus Resources: Information to help deal with the COVID-19 crisis for patients and caregivers living with heart disease or stroke. They include medical and social services, financial assistance, peer support, physical activity and nutrition, and Government of Canada updates.
- Mental Health Resources, Counselling Connect: Provides free access to a same-day or next-day phone or video counselling session. This service is for children, youth, adults, and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area. Click to book a session.
- Mental Health Resources, Mind Beacon: Guided Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with a dedicated therapist. Find out more
- Mental Health Resources, Ottawa Public Health: Caregivers often don't take the time for self-care as they work to improve the health of others. It is normal to feel stress at this time and for this situation to affect mental health. See the OPH listing of some of the Mental Health Resources available to you.
- Ressources pour la santé mentale, Togetherall: Se joindre gratuitement
- Ontario Health COVID-19 Response Update: See the latest updates on COVID-19 in Ontario.
- Rehab and Community Services in Champlain During COVID: This webinar provides an overview of sub-acute services that exist in the Champlain region to support transitions in care and information for regional stakeholders on modifications to sub-acute programs and services due to COVID guidelines. An archived copy dated July 9, 2020 is available from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at: https://pwc.ottawaheart.ca/education/heartwise-webinars.
- Rehabilitative Care Alliance: COVID-19 Rehab Resources are provided to support rehab professionals, other clinicians and administrators as they provide and plan for care.
- Stroke Best Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Heart & Stroke Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations (CSBPR) Advisory Council has developed guidance on implementing evidence-based stroke care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The University of Ottawa Heart Institute: UOHI has compiled a list of resources to help keep patients informed and stay active and healthy during this difficult time. Heart-healthy resources for secondary prevention include exercise videos, nutrition, stress management and more.
- Virtual & Online Care Resources Ontario: A list of virtual and online care resources has been created by the Ontario Regional Stroke Networks’ Community and Long-Term Care Group to share with persons living with the effects of stroke, families/informal caregivers, and health professionals.