Helping Survivors Get #UpAgainAfterStroke

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately every 40 seconds someone in the United States suffers from a stroke. Monday, October 29 is World Stroke Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about stroke risks and prevention.

A stroke occurs when a clogged or ruptured artery prevents blood flow to the brain, causing brain cells to die because of a lack of oxygen. There’s a common misconception that it only impacts elderly adults but many stroke victims are under the age of 65. In fact, strokes can happen to anyone at any time – including children and young adults.

Of the millions of people across the world who have experienced a stroke, over 50 million survivors live with some form of permanent disability as a result. For many survivors, life after a stroke won’t be quite the same, but experts say with the right care and support, it’s possible to get #UpAgainAfterStroke.

Stroke victims are often left with physical, sensory, cognitive and communication deficits, such as memory loss, slurred speech and trouble swallowing. The Speech-Language Institute (SLI) of Salus University offers a comprehensive approach to treating many of the common conditions that effect stroke survivors.

SLI’s speech-language pathologists incorporate a variety of assessments to gather background on a patient’s strengths and challenges. Assessments take place over the course of one or more sessions. Following the assessments, an individualized treatment plan is developed based on each patient’s needs.

In addition, SLI also offers a free community support group for stroke survivors with aphasia. Aphasia is an impairment of language typically caused by an injury to the brain such as a stroke. While aphasia does not affect the intelligence of the person diagnosed, it does make communication difficult - leading to problems with speaking, listening, reading and writing.

SLI’s Aphasia support group, an affiliate of the National Aphasia Association and the only university-related affiliate in the greater Philadelphia area, is designed for both stroke survivors and their loved ones. The group meets on the third Thursday of every month from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at SLI’s Elkins Park, Pa. campus.

For more information on SLI’s services for stroke survivors, call 215.780.3150.