Current research suggests a lack of Age-appropriate resource for young strokes

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, whilst it is often seen as a condition affecting the elderly, an estimated 11% of stroke survivors in the UK were aged between 15 and 44, and 40% between 15 and 64 (GBD 2019). Do stroke services and stroke research reflect the needs of these younger age groups? A scoping review was undertaken as part of the YARNS project, to address this question (Chandler et al. Submitted for publication). Of the potentially relevant stroke literature identified (7747 articles) only 1% (78) were relevant to young people between the ages of 18 – 45, and their experiences of acute or community based rehabilitation. Stroke was reported to impact on young adults in physical, financial, social and psychological ways. The focus and the outcomes of stroke rehabilitation were predominantly physical and addressed many basic needs in the early stages of recovery around movement and communication, but less around memory, behaviour and cognitive issues, the hidden disabilities of stroke. The societal belief that stroke is an elderly persons problem impacted on the individuals themselves who often did not believe they were having a stroke; health professionals, not recognising the signs in a young person as a stroke and delaying diagnosis; and wider society who struggle to comprehend the nature and impact of stroke in a younger person. As almost 90% of cases affect those over 45, the main focus of stroke care and rehabilitation is directed towards the elderly. Young adults experienced a lack of age-adapted stroke rehabilitation in both acute and social care settings.The challenges arising from this review are the need for a greater awareness that stroke can occur at any age; and the recognition in all service provision that the young person’s needs require an age appropriatedesign and delivery.
References: GBD (2019) Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 Results. http://ghdx.healthdata.org/gbd-results-tool