Stroke (Rehabilitation and Recovery)

Although recovering from a stroke can be challenging for both the survivor and caregiver, there are resources available to help you during the recovery period and improve your overall health. Recovery and rehabilitation are among the most important aspects of stroke treatment. 

About Stroke

Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is one of the top five leading causes of death in Idaho.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs and brain cells die. Two million brain cells die each minute during a stroke. Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke early and getting immediate treatment can help prevent irreversible damage or even death. Seek immediate care for any of the following symptoms:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg especially on one side of the body.
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding.
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination.
  • Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

If any of these symptoms appear, DO NOT WAIT! CALL 911. Do not attempt to drive yourself to the emergency room.

Remember B.E. F.A.S.T.

Balance difficulties
Eyesight changes

Face drooping
Arm weakness
Speech difficulties
Time to call 911

For more information on stroke recovery, please visit the American Stroke Association website: stroke.org.

African American senior couple standing outside laughing together.
2024 Stroke Survivor Family Pinic
Monday, June 3rd from 5pm - 7:30pm

Click on the link to RSVP for this great event!
Map of Idaho with Public Health Districs outlined and TSE Designated Centers noted
Idaho GIS Map
Locate your closest local medical center using our Idaho GIS map.

Featured Articles

Visit this site by the American Stroke Association to read various articles on how emotional and behavioral changes are a common effect of stroke.
Why is exercise so important for recovering stroke patients? This article explains the "why" as well as identifies the physical and mental benefits and types of exercises to perform.
Read this feature blog on 9 things caregivers should know after their loved one has experienced a stroke.

Idaho Resources

Adaptive Sports

Adaptive Sports are recreational sports for people with disabilities or who are recovering from a medical condition. Adaptive sports often run parallel to typical sport activities and can be competitive. They allow modifications necessary for people with disabilities and medical conditions, and essentially important to improve mobility and coordination and strengthen muscles. Check out the list below to find an adaptive sport in your area.

 

CATEGORYNAMELOCATION
Adaptive Recreation

City of Boise

Sun Valley Adaptive Sports

Valley Adaptive Sports

Boise, ID

Sun Valley, ID

Teton Valley, ID

CyclingAdaptive Cycling of Southern IdahoTwin Falls, ID
Horseback Riding

Swiftsure Ranch

Ride for Joy

Bellevue, ID

Caldwell, ID

River TripsSplore - This group has joined
with the National Ability Center
Salt Lake City, UT
Skiing

Boise Adaptive Snowsport Education

Schweitzer Mountain

Boise, ID

Sandpoint, ID

TennisIdaho Wheelchair Tennis AssociationServing all of Idaho

 

Agencies on Aging

Agencies on aging assist people with disabilities to receive resources such as food assistance, respite care, and caregiver support such as housing, adult protective services, insurance guidance, etc. Recovering from a stroke is difficult enough, so finding assistance to help with everyday activities shouldn't be either. Check out the list below to discover what your area can assist you with.

 

NAME LOCATION
North Idaho Area Agency on Aging Coeur d'Alene, ID - Region 1
North Central Idaho Area Agency on Aging Lewiston, ID - Region 2
Southwest Idaho Area Agency on Aging Boise, ID - Region 3
South Central Idaho Area Agency on Aging Twin Falls, ID - Region 4
Southeast Idaho Council of Governments Pocatello, ID - Region 5
Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership Idaho Falls, ID - Region 6

 

Arts

Art, from painting to creating music, is very therapeutic for recovering stroke survivors because they are able to open up different areas of the brain as well as increase their strength in visual acuity and fine motor movement. Participants discover new ways of self-expression and are encouraged in their creativity. Tap into your creative spirit by joining one of these classes.

 

CATEGORY NAME LOCATION
Arts Teton Behavior Therapy Driggs Office
89 N Main St
Driggs, ID 83422
(307) 734-6040
Music

Music Makes Connections

Center for Music Therapy

Beyond High C

Boise, ID

Spokane WA

LIVE online video classes

 

Rehab & Mobility

Rehabilitation helps stroke survivors relearn skills that are suddenly lost when part of the brain is damaged. Depending on the severity of damage to the brain, a stroke survivor may need therapy in physical movement, speech, and memory retention. Here are few websites to help you achieve the best quality of life long-term.

 

name location Services
Access Vans Meridian, Idaho Provides wheelchair accessible vehicles from new to used to rentals.
Brain Injury Alliance of Idaho Serving all of Idaho Find various resources such as employment, legal aid, assisted living, assistive technology, caregiver service, transportation, and medication assistance.

BreakAway Mobility

Serving Boise and the
surrounding area
Provides adaptive mobility equipment from wheelchairs and scooters to lifts to bikes.
Cascadia of Boise Boise, ID Offering services in ventilator and trach care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
Idaho Assistive Device Serving all of Idaho Find a variety of used equipment for sale, free, or borrow.
In partnership with many other participating programs around the state of Idaho.

Idaho Spine & Sports
Physical Therapy

4 locations in Boise, ID

Specializing in orthopedic, sports, and manual therapy.

Soper's Mobility Aids, LLC Serving all of North Idaho Provides various home medical equipment and mobility aids such as walkers, ramps, bathroom safety aids, elevators, and much more.

 

Support Groups

Support groups are meetings for stroke survivors and their families (or caregivers) to comfortably discuss challenges about stroke with others who have been in a similar situation and keeps them from becoming isolated. Don't forget to check out your local gyms and fitness centers, senior citizen centers, and libraries for additional resources and activities to help you during your recovery.

 

name location & time

Mended Hearts of Boise
Email or call to get connected with a support group.

Mended Hearts of Boise, Chapter 380
Phone: 208-939-0300
Email: info@mendedhearts.org
Stroke Survivors Can!
Offer services such as education, early intervention, counseling,
employment, housing, financial help, support groups, & devices.
3023 E Copper Point Dr, Ste 108
Meridian, ID 83642
Phone: 208-484-3190
Email: kevin@strokesurvivorscan.org
North Idaho Stroke Support Group
This group meets the second Wednesday of the month
from 1:30pm - 2:30pm PST

Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest
3372 E Jenalan Ave
Post Falls, ID 83854
Email: ashleybertagnole@ernesthealth.com

Saint Alphonsus Stroke Support Meeting
This groups meets the first Thursday of the month
from 2:00pm - 3:30pm MST
This support group is virtual.
Email Jane Spencer jane.spencer@saintalphonsus.org
for instructions on how to attend.
St. Luke's Stroke Support Group
This group meets the third Thursday of the month
from 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST
St. Luke's Meridian Medical Center
520 S Eagle Rd
Meridian, ID 83642
Basement Meeting Rooms
Email stroke@slhs.org for instructions on how to attend.
St. Luke's Magic Valley Stroke Support Group
This group meets the second Friday of the month
from 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
This support group is virtual.
Email Stephanie Shawver shawvers@slhs.org
for instructions on how to attend.
Idaho Falls Community Hospital Stroke Support Group
This group meets the second Tuesday of the month
from 5:00pm - 6:30pm MST

Idaho Falls Community Hospital
2327 Coronado St
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
208-528-1000

 

Daughter and daughter caregiver having coffee in the kitchen.

"The closest thing to being cared for is to
care for someone else."
- Carson McCullers, author

Other Useful Sites

Idaho TSE System was created to address the top three preventable causes of death in Idaho: trauma, stroke and heart attacks (a.k.a. STEMI).
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Please visit this site to learn more about heart disease.
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