Health News For Champlain
Wednesday, July 04, 2012
Pembroke Regional Hospital
Peer Support Group Helps Stroke Survivors And Their Caregivers Move Forward With Those Who Share The Same Experience
The way Pembroke residents Bob and Aggie Pigeon see it, one short moment changed their lives forever.
According to Bob, after Aggie suffered a stroke and spent four months in hospital undergoing rehabilitation, coming home was a traumatic experience.
“After her stroke, she was unable to walk, to talk or to care for herself and although she did well at rehab, she was definitely not able to be left alone and it was really scary,” Bob said, noting he had a business to run and couldn’t be with her around the clock.
Thankfully, the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) was able to provide some services to her and a group of the couple’s very good friends contributed their time, allowing Aggie to progress.
Gradually, however, Bob said he and his wife were left on their own as their friends moved on to other responsibilities more and more, they felt lonely.
Provided with information about the Stroke Survivors, a peer support group, Bob and Aggie decided to check it out and were happy with what they found.
“At last we were with other people…survivors and caregivers like ourselves who were experiencing the same problems, and three years later we are still participating in the group, sharing our problems and ideas,” Bob said.
“Good guest speakers come in regularly and we socialize for two hours with our peers,” he said, noting that joining the group was a good decision for them as well as for others who have benefitted. “Every month we notice a small improvement.”
Established in September, 2009, the Stroke Survivor Peer Support Group came about as a collaboration between the Stroke Survivors Association of Ottawa, the District Stroke Centre at the Pembroke Regional Hospital, the Champlain Community Care Access Centre and the Champlain Regional Stroke Program.
The group was developed in response to an identified gap in community supports for stroke survivors and their family caregivers in our region where, each year, more than 200 people are admitted to hospitals in Renfrew County following a stroke.
It was found that most stroke survivors return home, yet find it difficult to resume their daily work, leisure and social activities. With few opportunities for social interaction, many become isolated. As well, research has shown that the pressures placed on family caregivers impact their physical and mental health, placing them at an increased risk for depression.
As a result of being part of a group like this, individuals receive peer support from those who have a shared experience of living with stroke or caring for a stroke survivor and therefore the outcome is far more positive.
Such was the case for Patricia and Earl Chaput who felt the Stroke Survivors group gave the couple a glimpse of hope in terms of what to expect in recovery, and what others have achieved after having a stroke.
“Being part of this group gives you the chance to meet people who understand what you are going through,” they said.
Socially, it also helps those who have had a stroke to make new friends and not be ashamed or self-conscious that they may not be able to speak or walk like they did before the stroke. Patricia and Earl said they have formed some good friendships as a result with others they are comfortable sharing things with.
The Stroke Survivor Peer Support Group meets the first Thursday of each month from 10a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Champlain CCAC office located in the Pembroke Mall. The next meeting is Thursday, Sept. 6. There are no meetings during July and August.
For more information about the group, please contact the District Stroke Centre at the Pembroke Regional Hospital, (613) 732-2811, ext. 7310.
Carolyn Levesque is the Public Affairs and Communications Coordinator for the Pembroke Regional Hospital.