The Stroke Foundation is on a mission to ensure people with stroke are better supported in their recovery, particularly when they transition from hospital to life back home.
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As part of this drive, the StrokeLine service has been expanded to boost responsiveness to enquiries from survivors of stroke, their carers and loved ones.
StrokeLine is a free, confidential phone service staffed by allied health professionals who provide expert information, advice, support and referrals. The team includes occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists and social workers. Between them they have decades of stroke care experience.
The expansion includes more staff, which will result in shorter wait times, better access to different allied health disciplines and a continued quality-service tailored to the individual.
Stroke Foundation chief executive officer Sharon McGowan said the expansion is a positive step towards helping survivors of stroke and their families thrive after stroke.
"Too many people leave hospital without a discharge plan (32 per cent) at a time when support is essential," Ms McGowan said
"Our StrokeLine team understands the physical and emotional changes survivors are experiencing and can help people take charge of their recoveries."
StrokeLine is the inbound support service within Stroke Foundation's StrokeConnect Navigator Program. The program also includes an outreach service which contacts people after they leave hospital to ensure they know how to access the specific support they need.
Stroke strikes the brain and can change lives in an instant. Almost 450,000 people are living with the impact of stroke in Australia.
After stroke, no recovery journey is the same. Effects include physical disability, speech and language loss, personality changes, fatigue and depression.
StrokeLine - 1800 787 653 - operates Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Eastern Standard Time and is available no matter what stage people are at on the recovery journey.
For crisis support, Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week 131-114.
If you think someone is having a stroke, call triple zero (000) immediately. The best outcomes are achieved when stroke is treated quickly.
What are the signs of stroke? Click HERE
