Starting Now Program

Having a stroke is a frightening experience, with often long-term effects. And about one-third of all stroke survivors will have another stroke within five years. What most people fail to realize, however, is that strokes are preventable. By recognizing the signs and symptoms and making simple lifestyle changes, patients can significantly reduce their risk for a second stroke.

In order to help patients and families understand stroke and how to prevent recurrent stroke, SOMC Rehabilitation Services offers Starting Now as part of the patient's stay on the unit. This five-part educational series was developed with the American Stroke Association and includes informational material, as well as daily instruction by a team of healthcare professionals.

Program Components

  1. Facts and figures of stroke
  2. Understanding changes
  3. How stroke affects mobility and daily living
  4. How stroke affects communication, cognition and swallowing
  5. Medical management and recurrent stroke prevention

Program Benefits

  • Reinforces lifestyle changes and management of risk factors, which may result in a healthier patient
  • Potentially reduces the chance that stroke will recur
  • Establishes source of education and support for the patient and family
  • Helps to smooth the transition home

Signs of Stroke (when someone shows one or more of these signs, call 911 immediately!)

  • 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

For more information, please contact:
SOMC Rehabilitation Services
1202 18th Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662
Telephone: (740) 356-7438
Or e-mail Brett Lacy

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