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.
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.
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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.
| CATEGORY | NAME | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Recreation | Boise, ID Sun Valley, ID Teton Valley, ID | |
| Cycling | Adaptive Cycling of Southern Idaho | Twin Falls, ID |
| Horseback Riding | Bellevue, ID Caldwell, ID | |
| River Trips | Splore - This group has joined with the National Ability Center | Salt Lake City, UT |
| Skiing | Boise, ID Sandpoint, ID | |
| Tennis | Idaho Wheelchair Tennis Association | Serving all of Idaho |
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 |
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 |
Boise, ID Spokane WA LIVE online video classes |
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. |
| 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. |
| 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 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 |
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 |
| 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 |
"The closest thing to being cared for is to
care for someone else."
- Carson McCullers, author