Stroke Support Group 

St.Joseph Physical and Sports Therapy partnered with the American Heart Association to develop this monthly stroke support group for stroke survivors and their families.

Group goals include:

•  Fostering a better understanding of stroke recovery, rehabilitation and prevention of recurrent strokes
•  Providing a way for stroke survivors to meet others with similar challenges and support each other in positive ways
•  Offering caregivers and family members a structured approach for sharing and for supporting each other
  

Two certified speech-language pathologists facilitate the support group, which breaks up into two meeting groups, one for stroke survivors and one for caregivers.

When: Third Thursday of every month, 3–4:30 p.m.
Where: St.Joseph Physical and Sports Therapy – Forest Park
               2130 W. Sycamore St.
               Kokomo, IN
Info: For more information or to register, please call (765) 236-8500. 

Stroke Awareness 

Every 45 seconds, someone in America has a stroke.
Every 3.1 minutes, someone dies of one.

What is a Stroke?

A stroke is a brain attack. It occurs when an artery in the brain is blocked or ruptured and blood-carrying oxygen to the brain cells is cut off. A brain attack affects all activity from walking to speaking and breathing. Strokes, like heart attacks, require immediate emergency care. It is essential that individuals who experience stroke symptoms go to the emergency room or dial 911. Many individuals who experience symptoms wait too long before seeking medical attention. The faster medical attention is sought, the greater the patient’s chances of recovery.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a stroke include:

•  Sudden weakness, numbness or paralysis of the arm, leg, face or side of the body.
•  Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes, or double vision.
•  Sudden fall, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
•  Sudden intense or unexplained headache.
•  Trouble talking or understanding speech or loss of memory.
  

These are warning signs only. But if they occur, call your doctor or call 911 immediately.

Facts About Strokes

• While the physician cannot stop the stroke once it has begun, he or she can minimize the damage by restoring blood flow to the brain. The patient must be seen and rapidly evaluated within three to six hours from the onset of the first symptom. The faster he or she can be seen, the better.
•  Almost 500,000 new strokes occur every year and in the United States, a stroke occurs every minute.
•  Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, right behind heart disease and cancer, and affects about one in five people.
•  Stroke is the number-one cause of disability in adults and is the leading reason patients are discharged from hospitals to nursing homes. The risk of stroke doubles every decade after age 55.
•  Appximately 75 percent of the 1.2 million Americans suffering brain attacks each year are over age 65. Males, diabetics, previous stroke victims and African-Americans are at greater risk for stroke.
•  Researchers have found strokes are more common during extreme temperature changes. 
  

Access to Emergency Stroke Center

St.Joseph is a member of the St.Vincent Health system, which includes health ministries throughout Indiana. Through this affiliation, St.Joseph patients have access to The Emergency Stroke Center at St.Vincent Indianapolis, which is a dedicated response team of health care professionals including ER physicians, neurologists, neuroradiologists, nurses and the EMS/EMT response team.