Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and a leading cause
of adult disability, according to the National Stroke Association. In
an effort to provide education and assistance to stroke victims and their
families, Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) is offering their monthly
stroke support group session on Tuesday, Jan. 12 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the
lobby of the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center adjacent to the medical center.
This monthly meeting will focus on Coping Skills and Relaxation Techniques
including Healing Touch, Guided Imagery, Breathing Techniques and Meditation.
In addition, the session will identify stressors that may occur during
stroke recovery, caring for the stroke survivor, the negative side effects
of stress and the importance of good coping skills and stress management.
The Rev. Cindy Jordan, CVMC Director of Spiritual Care, and Heather Bissell,
LRT/CTRS, Recreational Therapist, will lead the support meeting.
The stroke support group goal is to provide stroke survivors, their families
and caregivers education, resources and an opportunity to support each
other as they strive to rebuild their lives. Attendees, while meeting
other survivors who are likely experiencing similar challenges, will find
this to be a structured way to share with and support each other as well
as their caregivers and family members. Education offered by physicians,
therapists, dietitians, nurses, stroke survivors and caregivers, will
focus on Making the Most Out of Life and Coping with Stroke as well as
emphasize good health, independence and well-being.
Other future topics include community resources, healthy nutrition during
holidays, community mobility and reintegration, coping and stress management,
healing touch, communication after a stroke, and caregiving from the patient
and the caregiver perspectives.
The stroke support group is a service of CVMC’s Center for Rehabilitation,
a full service, multidisciplinary program offering inpatient and outpatient
therapies including physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy,
psychological services, prosthetics/orthotics program for amputees and
industrial medicine program. The comprehensive center includes a cardiopulmonary
rehabilitation program as well as a fitness center with aquatics program
and outdoor fitness trail. The 10-bed inpatient unit is certified by CARF,
the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, as a Comprehensive
Integrated Rehabilitation program.
To learn more, please contact Ms. Bissell at 828/326-3046.
Catawba Valley Medical Center is a not-for-profit, public healthcare system
providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual
well-being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health
education, wellness services, preventative medicine and acute care. CVMC,
twice recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet
facility, was named as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of
Healthcare Providers as well as twice awarded as a “Distinguished
Hospital for An Outstanding InPatient Experience” by J.D. Power
and Associates.