The Villa Medica Rehabilitation Hospital stands out for its innovative approaches and its practices that are always in line with the evolution of science and technology. Through its spirit of participation in multiple research projects, the team of professionals succeeds, even today, in developing new ways of doing things or applying good practices that mark its excellence.

This is the third presentation in a series of three best practices from Villa Medica Rehabilitation Hospital.

Early post-stroke driving rehabilitation

Driving a car is one of the three daily activities most associated with a sense of independence and a good quality of life. Unfortunately, approximately one in two people will no longer be able to drive after suffering a stroke.

A significant impact then occurs on the person and society through an increase in the rate of depression and medical consultations. Paradoxically, only 6% of post-stroke survivors in Canada have access to driving rehabilitation, and this, with a delay of more than six months. It then became more than relevant to integrate a driving program for post-stroke clients into Villa Medica’s service offering.

The program was founded and based on evidence, best practices and guidelines from the Canadian Stroke Network. The program uses all the recommendations as well as the screening tools recommended for driving. This is why said program involves early rehabilitation of driving in the period when brain plasticity is optimal, thus ensuring better recovery.

The results are positive, showing progress in driving skills after the first intervention. Villa Medica is currently the only center in Quebec that systematically offers driving rehabilitation in the first post-stroke phase.

(Source: article from Le Messager newspaper, internal journal of the Villa Medica Rehabilitation Hospital)

See other best practices at Villa Medica: Post-stroke sensory rehabilitation and post-stroke perineal and pelvic rehabilitation