D. Schreiber1, J. Jukes2, D. Pal1, D. Mackay2.
1March of Dimes Canada, Research and Quality, Toronto, Canada.
2March of Dimes Canada, Community Engagement and Integration Services, Toronto, Canada.
Abstract Text
While social isolation and loneliness prior to a stroke can lead to poorer outcomes, the impact of social isolation after a stroke can be just as devastating.  As stroke can affect physical and cognitive function, eating, swallowing, language, and speech, it can be difficult for stroke survivors to interact with friends/families and to take part in activities they once enjoyed.

Next Steps is a weekly mall walking program specifically geared towards stroke survivors. It evolved from a stroke rehabilitation walking program delivered by rehabilitation therapists as a short-term program to reintroduce people to physical activity in the community post-stroke.  The rehabilitation therapists identified a need for an ongoing community program to transition the stroke survivors into and partnered with non-profit organizations to deliver Next Steps.  The majority of participants are referred to Next Steps from a stroke recovery program or rehabilitation centre.

Participants in the program were surveyed to evaluate both their improvement since starting the program as well as their satisfaction with the program.  While the most common reasons cited for joining Next Steps was to increase physical activity, stamina, and strength, the greatest improvement participants identified was increased social activity.  Results from a thematic analysis of the survey responses prominently outline the significance of the program's social aspects.  Increased social activity, community engagement, independence, and confidence will be explored in the presentation.

MALL WALKING PROGRAM FOR STROKE SURVIVORS: CAN IT HELP COMBAT POST-STROKE SOCIAL ISOLATION?