On March 2, Stroke Support Association (SSA) partnered with the Los Altos YMCA in Long Beach to deliver an important message: when it comes to stroke, knowledge can save lives. Leading the presentation was Angie West, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, SCRN, ANVP, Program Manager Neuroscience/Stroke at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center, who is also a member of SSA’s Board of Directors.... Read More
When every second counts, the Comprehensive Stroke Center at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center is ready. A “Code Stroke” is more than just a call—it’s a rapid, coordinated response that can mean the difference between life and lasting disability. At the heart of this response is a specialized team known as the HyperAcute Stroke Team (HAST), trained to act fast and... Read More
What is a TIA? A TIA is a temporary interruption in blood flow to the brain that causes the same symptoms as a stroke. Formally known as a transient ischemic attack, a TIA lasts for only a few minutes. Unlike stroke, a TIA gets better on its own. That can lull people into a false sense of complacency. Many do... Read More
Post-stroke anxiety (PSA) and post-stroke depression (PSD) can strike anytime after a stroke. Mine showed up about eight weeks into my recovery as I was trying to go back to work. The stress of the daily grind was a contributing factor, but the stroke is what caused my mental health problems. I was unprepared for the havoc they’d wreak on... Read More
Mental health is getting quite a bit of attention these days, and the effects of that attention are rippling into every area of our society. Those effects are making their way to the stroke survivors’ community as well, and post-stroke depression (PSD) has become an area that is garnering more and more interest. PSD presents similarly to generalized depression, but... Read More
When you find yourself in the hospital for a stroke, things happen FAST, as they say. “Time is Brain” and the healthcare team acts accordingly. The flurry of scans and tests and assessments can feel overwhelming and scary to the new stroke patient. This environment makes it hard to absorb information, which is why it’s common for people to be... Read More
Emergency medical treatment is critical after a stroke to stabilize your condition before starting rehabilitation. It’s equally essential for your team of therapy specialists to initiate the rehabilitation process early to regain lost function. It’s the perfect time for you or your loved one (preferably your primary care partner) to educate yourselves and ask the available specialists questions to help... Read More
Caring for stroke survivors’ needs is a big, often full-time job. Therefore, it is essential that caregivers also take the time to prioritize their personal needs and care for themselves. Taking much-needed breaks and reaching out for help and support is critical for caregivers’ well-being when looking after a stroke survivor. Community resources, such as respite care, support groups for... Read More
On March 16, 2021, Robin Roope, the Clinical Speech Therapy Lead at Memorial Care Long Beach Medical Center, gave a presentation titled “Stroke, Aphasia, and Apraxia: Tips for Communication” via Zoom to the stroke survivors and caregivers who attend our support groups. Robin began her presentation with a definition of aphasia. “Aphasia is when the language center of our brain... Read More
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, with stroke being a leading cause of disability globally. Despite the recent success in reducing stroke incidences in the general U.S. population, there is now a concerning propensity for stroke cases to occur at younger ages. Pediatric Ischemic Stroke Prevalence Children now experience increased stroke... Read More