Volunteer Facilitated Discharge Assistance and Supports at Home (DASH) for People With Stroke
This study wants to find out if having a trained volunteer visit you at home after a stroke can help you recover better. When people leave the hospital after a stroke, they often face new challenges. Researchers are testing if a volunteer visiting for 8 weeks can make a difference to how well people cope in the following months. The study will compare people who get these volunteer visits with those who don't, while everyone continues with their regular care. Participants will share their experiences through online surveys over six months. The aim is to see if this extra support helps people deal with the changes stroke brings and if the benefits last.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Imagine you've had a stroke and are now back home from the hospital. It can be a very challenging time, adjusting to new routines and sometimes facing difficulties you didn't have before. Doctors and nurses do a lot to help, but this study wants to see if a little extra support from a trained volunteer, right in your home, could make a big difference.
The researchers want to understand if these home visits can help you feel more confident and deal better with the changes that come with recovering from a stroke. They're particularly interested in whether this support helps you cope better in the first few months after leaving the hospital, and if those positive effects continue for a while.
To find this out, some people in the study will have a volunteer visit them regularly, while others will continue with their usual care. Everyone will still receive the standard medical care they need, plus some helpful information from the research team. By comparing these two groups, the researchers hope to learn how to best support stroke survivors as they get back to life at home.
Key takeaways
- Tests if volunteer home visits help stroke survivors cope better.
- Compares those with volunteer support to those with usual care.
- Participation involves 8 weeks of potential volunteer visits and 6 months of online surveys.
- Aims to improve recovery and support for people returning home after a stroke.
- You continue receiving your usual medical care throughout the study.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for adults who have recently had a stroke and are either getting rehabilitation in the hospital or have just finished it within the last three weeks.
To join, you must have lived at home before your stroke and be going straight back to your own home or a family member's home after leaving the hospital. You'll also need to live in certain areas of Canada where the program is running – specifically, around Toronto or Ottawa.
You won't be able to join if you're going to another hospital, a nursing home, or long-term care facility after leaving the hospital. Also, you need to be able to understand and speak English, and be able to give your permission to take part in the study yourself.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Have you recently had a stroke?
- Are you currently having or just finished hospital-based rehabilitation (in the last 3 weeks)?
- Did you live at home before your stroke?
- Are you going home (to your own house or a family member's) after leaving the hospital?
- Can you speak and understand English?
- Are you able to provide your own consent to join the study?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you'll either receive home visits from a trained volunteer for 8 weeks, or you'll continue with your usual care. Both groups will still get their normal medical support and some educational materials from the research team.
You'll be asked to complete some online surveys at the start of the study, three months after leaving the hospital, and again at six months. These surveys will ask about how you're coping and feeling. The total time you'll be involved in the study will be about six months.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (6)
- Bruyère Health Élisabeth-Bruyère HospitalVerified postcodeOttawa, Canada
- Hennick Bridgepoint HospitalVerified postcodeToronto, Canada
- Providence Healthcare (Unity Health Toronto)Verified postcodeToronto, Canada
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreVerified postcodeToronto, Canada
- Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (UHN)Verified postcodeToronto, Canada
- West Park Healthcare Centre (UHN)Verified postcodeToronto, Canada
Common questions
What is the main goal of this study?
The main goal is to see if having a volunteer visit stroke survivors at home helps them cope better and improves their recovery after leaving the hospital.
Who are the volunteers?
The volunteers are trained individuals who will provide support and assistance during your recovery at home.
How long does the volunteer support last?
If you're in the group receiving volunteer support, you will have weekly visits for eight weeks.
Will I still get my usual medical care?
Yes, everyone in the study will continue to receive their normal medical care and treatment from their healthcare team.
Do I have to do anything else besides meet with a volunteer?
Everyone in the study will be asked to complete online surveys at three different times over six months.
How to find out more
Michelle LA Nelson, MA, PhD, FAHA, FWSO
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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