The number of Canadians living with stroke-induced disabilities is expected to rise substantially over the next couple of decades.

And because more people are surviving strokes, new research suggests there will be a significant increase in the number of people who need stroke rehabilitation.

Study author Doctor Mark Bayley of the Toronto Rehab Institute says the healthcare system must be ready for how these people are going to be supported and cared for.

The study estimates that there were about 405,000 Canadians living with a stroke disability in 2013 and it says that number could 726,000 by 2038.

You can read about the study in the journal Stroke.

It was funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery.