Life-saving information for Boomers, Zoomers and seniors who need to know about stroke prevention, recognition and recovery
Miami, Florida (PRWEB) January 06, 2012
A stroke – sometimes called a brain attack – occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts, cutting off vital blood flow to part of the brain. In the U.S., stroke is the third leading cause of death, killing 160,000 people each year. It is also the leading cause of adult disability. Stroke leaves many of the 5 million stroke survivors in this country with serious physical and mental impairments. Approximately 750,000 strokes occur each year in the U.S. However, an estimated 500,000 of these deadly events can be prevented.
“In approximately two thirds of cases, stroke can be prevented with healthy lifestyle choices” says Dr. Michael Katsnelson, Neurologist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “People need to know how to reduce their risk. They also need to know what to do if they, or someone they are with, has a stroke. Fast action is vital because the longer treatment is delayed, the greater the risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death. Recognizing symptoms and quickly seeking medical attention can make the difference between life and death or serious disability.”
Stroke can result in partial or total paralysis, and can affect the ability to speak, swallow or walk. It can also cause cognitive problems, affecting memory, emotional control and decision making abilities. Other problems associated with stroke include anxiety, depression and personality changes.
“Stroke affects four out of five American families, directly or indirectly,” says Dr. Bobbi Lougachi, Clinical Psychologist and geriatric specialist. “Family dynamics often change as a result of stroke. Coping can be extremely stressful. Survivors and caregivers must face fear of recurrence, uncertainty about the prospects for recovery and concern about their ability to cope. It’s very important for stroke survivors and their families to realize that help is available.”
Research into stroke recovery has brought new hope to survivors and their families. Doctors now realize that recovery can take place over many years, rather than only in the weeks right after stroke as was previously thought. Undamaged areas of the brain can be “re-trained” to perform functions that were lost when the stroke occurred. With proper rehabilitation, improvement can continue indefinitely.
“We’re very excited about the emergence of new rehabilitation techniques and new technology,” says Roosevelt Moore, Regional Director of Rehabilitation Therapy at Plaza Health Network. “A very exciting new rehab tool is the Tibion™ Bionic Leg, a mechanical device which is strapped to the leg of a stroke survivor during rehab therapy. I’ve watched stroke survivors re-learn how to walk, sit, stand and climb stairs using this device – even after being wheelchair bound for years. It’s truly unbelievable.”
To learn more about stroke, join Dr. Katsnelson, Dr. Lugachi and Roosevelt Moore at the upcoming Plaza Health Care Café. A demonstration of the new Tibion™ Bionic Leg will also take place. It’s an event that Zoomers and Boomers can’t afford to miss.
The Plaza Health Care Café on Stroke is open to all. Admission is free. The Café kicks off at 12:30 p.m. January 9th at the Michael Ann Russell Jewish Community Center, Sanford L. Ziff Campus, 18900 NE 25th Avenue, North Miami Beach.
Space is limited, so anyone wishing to attend is asked to notify Ilene Zweig at 305-917-0406 or by email izweig@hebrewhomes.org.
For more information about this and other upcoming Plaza Health Care Cafes, please visit http://www.plazahealth.org/HCC.
About Plaza Health Care Cafes
Plaza Health Care Cafes are presented by Plaza Health Network as a free service to senior members of the community and their families. These educational programs have a unique and important value for those with health concerns who seek answers. Reliable information about health issues is not always easy to find. Plaza Health Care Cafes fill that gap and help elderly people and their families find safe, healthy solutions to the issues that are most important to them.
About Plaza Health Network
What began in 1954 as a 12-bed convalescent home for WWII veterans and Jewish elderly has evolved into the largest not-for-profit network of Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Centers in Miami-Dade County, with over 1,000 beds in 8 centers…and growing. Plaza Health Network serves the whole community with a staff of professionals who are as diverse as our patients. Our rehabilitation and skilled nursing services include, but are not limited to, post-operative care and rehabilitation, stroke care and rehabilitation, diabetes care and management, Alzheimer’s care, wound care, and orthopedic rehab therapy. Languages spoken at our centers include English, Spanish, Creole, French and Russian. For more information about plaza Health Network visit http://www.plazahealth.org
###
Ilene Zweig
Plaza Health Network
305-917-0406
Email Information
There are no comments yet