Stroke Foundation #17 - Emotional & personality changes by Stroke Foundation

A lot of attention is given to rehabilitation in the weeks and months immediately following a stroke, but recovery doesn't stop there. Many stroke survivors continue to work on their recovery and see improvement for many years. In this podcast, we want to talk about how long-term recovery works, what you can expect in terms of highs and lows, and how to make the most of it.

Our guests are Professor Julie Bernhardt, Director of the Centre of Research Excellence in Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery; stroke survivor Nadia Moffatt, who had two strokes when she was a teenager and is now a member of the Stroke Foundation’s Consumer Council; and physiotherapist Carol Pham, from StrokeLine.

Tim Kleinnig on 6PR by Stroke Foundation

Stroke Foundation #15 - Touch and Sensation by Stroke Foundation

Stroke doesn't discriminate, and we're hearing more and more about young people having strokes. When you're younger you can experience the same physical effects, but the impact on your life can be very different. The nice, smooth path that you've mapped out can drastically change course.

In this episode, we talk about what it's like to have a stroke in your 20s and 30s, and to have to set a new path towards goals like a career and relationships. And to deal with invisible stroke impacts while trying not to become invisible yourself.

Our guests are Ali Earley, a young stroke survivor, former nurse and now Stroke Foundation volunteer; Assoc. Prof. Maree Hackett from the George Institute, who has researched the psychological and social factors affecting young stroke survivors; and Lisa Mangwiro from StrokeLine.

2017 National Stroke Week - 3AW Interview Meliame Fifita And Son Tevita by Stroke Foundation

The Stroke Foundation recently released its updated Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management, to help health professionals to deliver the most up-to-date, evidence-based stroke treatment. But what do these guidelines say and what do they mean to stroke survivors and their carers?

To find out, we talk to physiotherapist Assoc. Prof. Coralie English, a researcher from the University of Newcastle and the Hunter Medical Research Institute, and Co-chair of the Content Development Working Group for the Clinical Guidelines.

A common thread in our podcasts is the importance of exercise and being physically active. Whether it's for reducing your risk of another stroke, building up strength in your limbs, or even improving your memory, exercise is constantly recommended. But do stroke survivors get the level of activity that they need?

In this special episode for Stroke Week 2017, we talk to neurological physiotherapist Natalie Fini, who has recently published a scientific paper on just this question. Natalie is a lecturer at the University of Melbourne and she's doing a PhD through La Trobe University and Albert Health. She's also deputy chair of the National Neurology Group at the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Her research was funded by the Heart Foundation.

We also speak to occupational therapist, Leah Pett from Stroke Line, about what you can do about incorporating more activity into your daily life.

Memory forms a big part of our understanding of our experiences and our selves. It's also essential on a smaller scale for simply getting through everyday life. And when you've had a stroke it helps you with your ongoing recovery. But memory is also commonly affected by stroke, and for many people this has a big impact.

In this podcast we will talk about what you can do if you're facing memory problems after stroke. Our guests are:

• Toni Withiel and David Lawson, Monash University neuropsychology doctoral students and stroke survivors.

• Dr Rene Stolwyk, clinical neuropsychologist from Monash University.

• Jan Corcoran, stroke survivor from Far North Queensland.

• Alana Stewart, speech pathologist from StrokeLine.

The majority of stroke survivors will have problems with their upper limbs at some point – that's the arm, shoulder and hand. These problems include weakness, trouble coordinating movements, changes in muscle tone, subluxation, contracture, swelling, and reduced or increased sensation. These make a big difference in your daily life.

In this podcast, we talk about these issues with arms and hands and shoulders, and what you can do for recovery.

Our guests are:

Dr Annie McCluskey, an occupational therapist, educator and researcher with over 30 years' experience in stroke and brain injury rehabilitation.

Rebecca Schmidt-Lachlan, a young stroke survivor and member of the Stroke Foundation's Consumer Council.

Tahnee Winks, a physiotherapist from the Stroke Foundation's Follow Up service.