Well-being after stroke in Canadian seniors: findings from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging

Abstract

Background and purpose: After a stroke many people continue to live with their residual impairments and disabilities in the community, which can pose a significant problem for survivors' well-being. The purpose of this research was to investigate patterns of well-being in community-dwelling stroke survivors to identify those factors that restrict and enhance well-being.

Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted on data from the second wave of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA-2). A national sample of 5395 community-dwelling Canadian seniors (aged > or =65 years) was interviewed for CSHA-2, including 339 stroke survivors (6.3%). Information was collected on health, social and demographic characteristics, and well-being. Comparisons were made between the health and functional status of stroke survivors and community-dwelling seniors who have not experienced a stroke. Multiple regression was used to examine the factors associated with well-being in stroke survivors.

Results: Compared with community-dwelling seniors who have not experienced a stroke, stroke survivors report a lower sense of well-being. Stroke survivors are also more likely to be restricted in their physical and cognitive function, to report worse mental health, and to be living with a greater number of comorbid health conditions. Mental health and physical and cognitive disabilities are associated with a reduced sense of well-being in stroke survivors, but social supports and educational resources moderate the impact of functional status on well-being.

Conclusions: Community-dwelling seniors who have had a stroke experience a reduced sense of well-being. However, social resources can help to alleviate the subjective burden of this common neurological condition.