Stroke continues to be a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009). In the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Framingham Heart Study (Kelly-Hayes et al., 2003), among ischemic stroke survivors who were age 65 yr or older, the following disabilities were observed at 6 mo after stroke: 50% had some hemiparesis, 30% were unable to walk without some assistance, 46% had cognitive deficits, 35% had depressive symptoms, 19% had aphasia, 26% were dependent in activities of daily living (ADLs), and 26% were institutionalized in a nursing home. Stroke also continues to be a diagnosis commonly managed using occupational therapy services. Approximately 60% of occupational therapy practitioners provide services to those who have experienced stroke (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, 2013a, 2013b).
These facts dictate that occupational therapy practitioners remain up...
