Jul 27, 2020
Stroke is a leading cause of neurological disability among
adults, and there is evidence that health disparities exist along
the stroke continuum. People living with low income have a higher
stroke
incidence (Cesaroni, Agabiti, Forastiere, & Perucci, 2009), higher
stroke fatality (Kapral et al., 2012), and lower functional
recovery (Chen et al., 2015). Living in a low-income neighborhood
also leads to poorer participation poststroke, even after
adjustments for health and level of disability (Egan et al., 2015).
Despite our general knowledge of the association between income and
poststroke disability in developed countries, there is little in
the occupational therapy literature to support our understanding
of
how low income can influence stroke survivors’ participation in
personally valued occupations. The objective of this paper is to
provide a theoretical and practical understanding of these
challenges with re-engagement in personally valued occupations
following stroke, as well as to make recommendations to guide
practice.