Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Background: In 2015, participants within a stroke support group reported that, they felt ill prepared to care for themselves following a stroke (Boger, Demain and Latter, 2015). Similar feelings as well as decreased socialization, loss of independence, and changes in mood were reported in another stroke support group setting in 2014 (Muller, Toth-Cohen and Mulcahey, 2014). In an effort to enhance an existing stroke support group, purposeful activities were provided in an educational format to allow for new learning and engagement for all stroke survivors. These interventions are also provided as a means to enhance quality of life and improve overall participation within the stroke support group. Methods: The project began with the creation of a needs assessment. All members of a current stroke support group in Fayetteville, North Carolina were provided with a needs assessment for completion as a means to gather information about each participant and the stroke support group as a whole. Information and feedback from the needs assessment combined with evidenced based research allowed the occupational therapy student to deliver four tailored interventions to meet the needs of the stroke support group. These interventions included Driving after a Stroke, How to Care for Yourself after Stroke, Stress-Management, and Nutrition. Following all four interventions, all members were provided with a follow-up survey to assess the effectiveness of the interventions and how they impacted quality of life. Results: Data from the needs assessment indicated that the current stroke support group was not meeting the member's needs and expectations. However, after the completion of interventions provided by the occupational therapy student, there was an increase in member participation by thirty-three percent and quality of life scores improved up to thirty-six percent. Conclusion: Specific and purposeful activities and interventions are effective in enhancing a stroke support group. Not only can these interventions be effective when enhancing a support group as a whole, they can also improve quality of life for each participant Such interventions have also been effective in gaining new members within the support group as well as retaining existing members. Therefore, in order to ensure an effective support group the participant's needs must be heard.

Publication Date

4-2017

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