The CRSN created this page at the start of the pandemic to list some of the relevant COVID-related resources available for stroke survivors and caregivers. Although compiled in response to the pandemic, many resources here are relevant day to day. Click on the toolbar above for more stroke information, guides, and peer support pages.
If you or your loved one is having a symptom of stroke, call 911. Don't drive, call 911 F.A.S.T. Treatment will begin in an ambulance while travelling to a stroke hospital.
- Aphasia Institute Pictographs The Aphasia Institute has many pictographs to facilitate conversations with people experiencing communication barriers. There are templates about vaccinations, COVID screening, and giving consent to participate in online programs. To access the full selection of editable templates, visit the Aphasia Institute website at https://www.aphasia.ca/participics/
- Champlain Community Support Network: Access support services including pharmacy and food delivery, Meals on Wheels, telephone support, transportation options, and dementia support.
- Heart and Stroke Foundation: Dr. Cindy Yip, director of Data, Knowledge Management and Heart Program for Heart & Stroke, provides a summary of information on COVID 19 and precautions for people living with heart disease or stroke.
- Heart and Stroke Foundation Webinars: Click here for the COVID-19 Webinars for People with Lived Experience series
- March of Dimes Canada: March of Dimes Canada has shifted many of their community and After Stroke programs to be virtual (online and by telephone) so you don’t have to miss them during the pandemic. Find out more about the programs available
- Mental Health Resources - Counselling Connect: provides free access to a same-day or next-day phone or video-counseling session. This service is for children, youth, adults and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area. Click here to book a session
- Mental Health Resources, Mind Beacon: Guided Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with a dedicated therapist. Currently free for residents of Ontario. Find out more
- Mental Health Resources, Ottawa Public Health: Caregivers often don't take the time for self-care as they work to improve the health of others. It is normal to feel stress and for this situation to affect mental health. Click here for a listing of some of the Mental Health Resources available to you.
- Mental Health Resources, Wellness Together Canada: to connect with a mental health professional one-on-one, call 1-866-585-0445 or text WELLNESS to 741741 You can also find more information on their website.
- The University of Ottawa Heart Institute has compiled a list of resources to help keep patients informed and stay active and healthy. Click here for heart-healthy resources for secondary prevention like exercise (videos etc), nutrition, stress management and more.
- Virtual (online) Healthcare Sessions: many health appointments are being offered online and not in person. Click here for Heart and Stroke's guide to making the most of a virtual healthcare session.
- Virtual & Online Care Resources Ontario - A list of virtual and online care resources has been created by the Ontario Regional Stroke Networks’ Community and Long-Term Care Group to share with persons living with the effects of stroke, families/informal caregivers, and health professionals.