Support Available After Stroke
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You don't have to go through stroke recovery alone. This page outlines the support and services available to you and your whānau after you have been discharged from the hospital. Once you have read this information, you will be able to choose which support options are right for you.
FREE HELPLINE: 0800 STROKE
You can call the Stroke Foundation's free helpline for support and guidance. You will be connected to a Community Stroke Navigator who has in-depth knowledge of stroke and the health and disability system.
You do not need a referral: anyone can call this helpline, including whānau and caregivers. The helpline is open from 9AM - 5PM weekdays.
0800 STROKE (0800 78 76 53)
COMMUNITY STROKE NAVIGATORS / KAIĀRAHI
If you need extra support after your stroke, you can ask a health provider to refer you to our Community Stroke Navigator/ Kaiārahi service. This is a free service for stroke survivors with complex needs. If needed, one of our Community Stroke Navigators can provide more in-depth support to aid to your recovery.
RETURN TO WORK ADVICE AND SUPPORT
Our specialist Return to Work Advisors are available to assist stroke survivors with employment and work-related advice and support following a stroke. Ask your medical team about eligibility for this service and to make a referral, or give us a call on 0800 STROKE (0800 78 76 53).
ONLINE RESOURCES
You can find free resources here. These include information sheets on what to expect when you've had a stroke, ways to reduce your stroke risk, practical guidance on caring for someone who has had a stroke, and looking after your physical and emotional wellbeing after a stroke.
LIFE AFTER STROKE SEMINARS / WĀNANGA
To learn more about life after stroke, you can attend a Life After Stroke Seminar/ Wānanga. This is a half day event that the Stroke Foundation provides in communities across Aotearoa. Seminars cover a mix of topics about life after stroke and provide an opportunity to connect with others affected by stroke in your community.
You can find out about our latest sessions by following us on Facebook or emailing help@stroke.org.nz
STROKE EDUCATION GROUPS
These small group education sessions are for anyone affected by stroke. They cover a range of topics and provide an opportunity for you to connect with others also affected by stroke in your community.
You can find out about our latest sessions by checking out our "Events" on Facebook or emailing help@stroke.org.nz
SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
It can be especially hard for young people when a parent or loved one has had a stroke. Children and teenagers can call 0800 What's Up (0800 942 8787) to talk to a counsellor for free. Free resources specifically for young people affected by a parent or loved one's stroke are also available here. As well as resources, you can read or listen to the stories of young people who have been impacted by a loved one's stroke here.
ONLINE CAFE
If you want to connect with others affected by stroke from the comfort of your own home, you can attend the Stroke Foundation's Online Cafe. This is a free online meeting held on the second Wednesday of each month at 11AM. Each session has a different speaker and topic relevant to stroke and aiding recovery.
New sessions are advertised in our Facebook group, but you don't need a Facebook account to attend. You can view the group here. Or email help@stroke.org.nz to find out about the upcoming session.
STROKE GROUPS
You can join a stroke group and connect with others in your community affected by stroke. All stroke groups are different. They may involve exercise programmes, morning teas, and other social activities. There are stroke groups operated by volunteers throughout Aotearoa. You can find details for your local stroke group here.
OTHER PLACES TO GET HELP
If your hospital team does not refer you to the services you need to support your recovery, you can ask your family doctor to refer you to additional healthcare professionals. You might do this if you want help to manage your medication, if you need equipment or adaptations to your home to improve your mobility and safety, or if you need in-home support or extra help with your rehabilitation.
Health Coaches and Health Improvement Practitioners work in many general practices and hauora provider teams, and can support you with your health and wellbeing needs and goals. You don't need a referral from your doctor and there is no cost to see them. Call your family health provider to find out what is available in your area.