With increasing populations the number and proportion of older Australians are also expected to increase. Stroke is identified as a frequent cause of disability amongst adults as in 2009, 375800 Australians experienced a stroke with 70% aged over 65 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2013, p 15; Wist, Clivaz, & Sattelmayer, 2016). It is likely as the ageing population increases, so will the number of stroke cases (Wist, et al., 2016). There are two types of cerebrovascular accident, an ischaemic stroke which is caused by a blood clot or partial blockage reducing blood supply to the brain (AIHW, 2013, p 10). Secondly, A haemorrhagic stroke is caused by the rupturing of blood vessels and consequent bleeding (AIHW, 2013, p 10).
