One in two people who had a stroke were still having difficulty with everyday activities such as bathing, climbing stairs and light housework up to six years after their stroke, according to new research.
The study, which was carried out by a research team at St James's Hospital, Dublin also found that 44 per cent of long-term survivors of strokes suffered from clinical depression and 24 per cent were living with high anxiety levels.
Yet, nine out of 10 didn't receivepsychologist/psychiatrist services following discharge from hospital.
"This research points to the unmet needs of what is a forgotten group of people," said Dr Conal Cunningham, lead researcher of the study and consultant in medicine for the elderly at St James's Hospital, Dublin.
"This research is significant, both nationally and internationally, because most research has focused on the acute services for people who have had a stroke and not what happens in the longer term," he said.
Dr Cunningham's study focused on stroke survivors that were in contact with the Volunteer Stroke Scheme (VSS) in Dublin.
"What we found is that although this group of people are doing quite well, there is a huge need for therapy services such as occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychological services," said Dr Cunningham.
Stroke affects 10,000 people in Ireland every year and is the third most common cause of death after heart disease and cancer.
As medicines improve, however, up to 50 per cent of people survive their stroke yet continue to suffer from a range of disabilities.
"Most people have rehabilitation in an acute hospital but often, three months after discharge, there tends not to be much follow up," explained Dr Cunningham.
"They might have good GP care but very little access to other services."
The study also found that over half of the stroke survivors were re-admitted to hospital within months of being discharged, following their stroke.
According to Anne Copeland, chairwoman of the VSS, services that are currently available are not keeping pace with the level of dependency people have following a stroke.
"People lead very lonesome and isolated lives and community services are like a lottery. They are good in niche areas but not rolled out as a service people can rely on."
The VSS offers physiotherapy and counselling services to participants and takes stroke patients on holidays every year.
"There needs to be more of this type of scheme in which patients, their relatives and voluntary groups work with the Health Service Executive (HSE)," said Dr Cunningham.
"While attention must also be focused on stroke prevention, we have to realise that there will be more people surviving strokes whose needs will be best met through more community-based services," Dr Cunningham added.