The Stroke Foundation of New Zealand was formed in 1980 and since then has formed a network of over 40 Field Officers and 70 Stroke Clubs throughout New Zealand.
Its mission is to reduce the incidence of stroke and gain and provide the greatest benefits for the stroke-affected community in order to improve their quality of life.
The Stroke Foundation network provides information, understanding, care, support and rehabilitation to help people with a stroke, their families and caregivers to regain the best quality of life they can.
The foundation promotes research into the causes of stroke, improvements in rehabilitation and stroke support needs in the community. They also work to reduce the incidence of stroke through stroke prevention information.
Stroke is not something that only affects older people: babies can suffer strokes at birth, and children and teens sometimes suffer from strokes too. The Stroke Foundation can help families whose children have been affected in this way.
What does it do?
The Stroke Foundation assists not only stroke survivors but also their families/whanau and caregivers. When someone has a stroke it changes their lives forever and there are often many changes and challenges to overcome on a daily basis. The foundation assists and advises on the best way to meet these challenges.
The foundation provides a lot of information in the form of booklets, information sheets, a self-assessment risk factor pad that you can use to work out how high your risk factors are, and other resources available to you.
Nearly all their resources are free; although they do have some DVDs and books that will incur a small cost. Visit their website for more information.
How is it funded?
The Stroke Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that relies on donations, bequests, sponsors and other supporters to help raise the funds to run its Field Officer services, design and print information resources, organise health professional training and advocacy throughout New Zealand.
In September each year the Stroke Foundation holds an annual appeal week. The funds generated are used to help pay the Field Officers around NZ.
How can I get their help?
You can get in touch with the Stroke Foundation in a variety of ways:
- Visit the website www.stroke.org.nz and find local contact details.
- Phone the Free Helpline 0800 78 76 53.
- Email them on strokenz@stroke.org.nz
How much does it cost?
The Stroke Foundation services are free. They fundraise to pay their Field Officers and have many volunteers who help with the Stroke Clubs and Carers Clubs around New Zealand.
Link to the Stroke Foundation Website
This is an excellent website which is dedicated to stroke and its many issues. You can download the national newsletter, booklets, or the self-assessment risk factor score sheet. View a demo for IBM’s Web Adaptation Technology, which is designed to make using the web easier for those who are visually impaired or have tremors in their fingers/hands.
