ABI Community Stroke Services

Covid 19
ABI Community Stroke Services provides group programmes and individualised rehabilitation.

ABI Community Stroke Services 

ABI Rehabilitation provides community based Stroke Services including group programmes and individualised rehabilitation for adults over 16 years. The programmes are delivered from a variety of places including, ABI clinics, gyms and in the community.

The purpose of the Community Stroke Services is to:

  • Increase physical abilities
  • Improve knowledge, understanding and skills for life after stroke
  • Increase your potential to participate in life activities

You will need to agree to participate in the programme:

  • Be well enough to tolerate low-level exercises
  • Commit to an eight-week programme, two times a week
  • Be independent with your toileting needs
  • Be able to understand simple verbal instructions
  • Tolerate a group setting with others who have had a stroke.

If you are interested in individual rehabilitation rather than a group programme, please talk to us.

Prior to starting the programme, you will be assessed by an ABI team member. You and your whānau goals will also be discussed as part of this. 

The team will develop a plan with you and your whānau that will guide the programme. 

Our commitment

Once we receive a referral we will: 

  • Contact you to discuss the programme duration, start dates and what your needs are 
  • Let the referrer know we have contacted you (if you didn’t refer yourself) 

After an initial discussion with you, we will do a pre-admission assessment to make sure the programme is right for you. If you are accepted to the programme, ABI clinicians will make time to meet with you to complete a face to face assessment. 

Programme

The group programme is tailored to your needs based on the assessment and conversations we have with you. 

The programme runs for eight consecutive weeks and usually covers:

  • Goal setting – through the physical and education components of the programme we will incorporate the goals that you identify during assessment as being important for you and your whānau. 
  • Physical rehabilitation – group sessions with the Physiotherapist and Rehabilitation Assistant – sometimes other rehabilitation therapists may be involved 
  • Education sessions – information about stroke and living life after a stroke 
  • Group discussion – informal information sharing, connecting with others in your group who have also had a stroke 
  • Resources – you will leave the programme with your own resource package that includes your assessment and outcome report and some ideas to manage your rehabilitation yourself after the programme ends 

You need to commit to this programme for the full 8 weeks and attend 2 sessions per week to make the most of the rehabilitation programme. 

The programme takes place at ABI clinics, gyms and in the community. You will be advised prior to each session where this will be. Individual rehabilitation can be provided where one to one approach is preferred. 

Additional programme components

During the programme we will help identify self management activities that will support your ongoing rehabilitation. Some activities may take place out in the community to increase your confidence, and also introduce you to other community services and activities that could be of benefit 

If you are not already a member of the stroke foundation or another local support group, we can make sure you and your whānau are connected with a local group for ongoing support and advice. We can offer advice and guidance for returning to work.

Referrals & Funding

Referrals

ABI receives referrals from the Stroke Foundation, General Practitioners, NASC assessors, District Nursing Service, Hospital Services and Community Rehab Teams or self referrals from the general public.

Some groups are funded with generous support of philanthropic trusts. Individual rehabilitation and some group programmes have costs associated but may be subsidised by private insurance

Please fill in the form below to refer a client or contact us to discuss the service that best meets your needs and to determine any costs that may apply

Important: Only hospitals, GPs and nurse practitioners can use this form to refer directly. If you think you would benefit from a referral to ABI concussion services, please speak with your GP.

ABI – Community Stroke Programme Referral Form

1. Client Details
Client First Name(Required)
Client Surname(Required)
DD slash MM slash YYYY
Client Address(Required)
Interpreter required:
3. Referrer Details
2. Stroke Programme Details
Does the client meet the following criteria for entry into the stroke programme:
Max. file size: 300 MB.
Max. file size: 300 MB.
Current stroke symptoms
Level of indoor mobility
Goals for the community stroke programme (what would you like us to work on with you?):