Hanover Hospital Stroke Support Group to Meet on July 10th
The next Hanover Hospital Stroke Support Group meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 10th, from 6 – 8 p.m., at the Hanover Community Health & Education Center, 400 York Street, in Hanover.
The new support group first met in May. It is designed for survivors of stroke and head injuries as well as their families and caregivers. Goals for the group are to provide support, education and social interaction. Special guest speakers will also be featured, as well as dietary and social service specialists to address issues of interest to participants. Helpful adaptive devices will also be displayed.
Group facilitators are Diane McIntyre, M.S., CCC-SLP and Bethanie Freeman, M.S., CCC-SLP, both Speech Language Pathologists on the hospital’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation staff. Other staff members who will be involved include Heather Ernst, M.S. CF-SLP; Erin Vrankin, M.S. CCC-SLP; Jamie Williams, M.S. CCC-SLP; and Jenn Lupp, M.S. CCC-CLP. According to McIntyre and Freeman, the new group came about in response to a growing number of patients who have a need for such a support setting, where they can learn and share similar situations with others.
“The social interaction offered by such a support group is important,” said McIntyre. “Because of the physical limitations caused by stroke, individuals can’t drive or visit their friends, and they usually are struggling with speech and language issues.” “They can feel cut off,” Freeman added, “and depression can set in.”
Representatives from the Agency on Aging will be guest presenters at the July meeting.
Participation in the Stroke Support Group is free, and refreshments will be provided. The group meets the second Tuesday of odd-numbered months. Application has been made for the group to be included in the American Stroke Association Registry.
For additional information or directions, please call the Hanover Hospital Speech-Language Pathologists office, at (717) 633-2156.