b'STROKE CAREA team effortto stroke care How Ontarios LTC funding changes support an interprofessional approachto stroke careI n April 2019, changes were made tocontinuing and long-term care Long-term care staff members the Long-Term Care Program andshould be knowledgeable in strokesettings. Of the 1,411 stroke survivors Support Services funding envelope,care, maintenance and recoveryadmitted to long-term care (within six allowing for greater flexibility in thegoals, therapies, and stroke bestmonths of an acute care discharge distribution of funds that had previouslypractice recommendations, and befor acute stroke or transient ischemic been dedicated to physiotherapy (PT)provided with updated educationattack) in Ontario in 2014/15:only. Funding from this envelope couldin these areas on a regular23.8% were at risk of depression;now be allocated to additional services,basis (Taking Action for Optimal including occupational therapy (OT),Community and Long-Term Stroke20.3% had severe cognitivespeech-language pathology (SLP),Care and the LTC Stroke Careimpairment;therapeutic recreation (TR), and socialPlans are excellent resources). work (SW). An objective of this new25.5% had experienced a fall in thefunding approach was to help driveThe Ontario Stroke Evaluation Reportprevious 30 days;better outcomes for long-term care2018: Stroke Care and Outcomes in Complex Continuing Care and Long- 55.7% had limited communication residents through increased use of interprofessional staffing mixes,Term Care looked at the complexityability; ultimately improving residents qualityof care and rehabilitation needs of the stroke population in complex41.3% required extensive assistance of life. with daily activities;Approximately 21% of long-term care residents have had a stroke. According to Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations:Rehabilitation shouldbe provided by an interdisciplinary team of health professionals who have experience in providing care post-stroke.People with ongoingrehabilitation goals post-stroke should continue to have access to specialized stroke services (such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech language therapy) following an admission to a community living setting, including within a long-term care setting.Individuals who experiencea decline in their functional status, even if this decline occurs many months or years following their stroke, should receive targeted interventions.10 38 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2020'