Stroke Club
May and June Stroke Club Meetings Canceled
In efforts to proactively address COVID-19 concerns, the May and June 2020 Stroke Club meetings have been canceled. Thank you for your understanding in our efforts to protect the health and safety of our community members, volunteers and you.
The Stroke Club at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines has a rich history. In 1984, the wife of a stroke survivor asked Paulette Wood, speech/language pathologist at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, if there was a support group for stroke survivors and caregivers in Des Moines. At the time, such a group did not exist, but with Paulette's dedication and the Easter Seals' support, Stroke Club begun. Currently, Kathy Brakke, occupational therapy assistant, Iowa Methodist Inpatient Rehab, is the hostess at the meetings, and several other professional "helpers" from the community assist with the various duties.
Today, the UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Foundation actively supports Stroke Club. The group strives to be a community-based program with involvement from Mercy Medical Center, On With Life and the VA Ventral Iowa Health Care System.
Stroke Club Details
The purpose of Stroke Club is to provide education and support to stroke survivors, their families and friends. Stroke Club aims to:
- Empower survivors to become independent and re-enter the community.
- Encourage families to practice what they have learned in rehabilitation.
- Provide a communication link between professionals and patients.
- Help professionals better understand the needs of survivors.
- Offer stroke families crucial peer support.
- Help survivors make lifestyle changes that reduce their risk of recurrent strokes.
Each month, we have a speaker or activity. We also have a time to share joys or concerns and socialize with others. At the end of each meeting, we have door prizes that are donated by many of the volunteers who help at the meeting as well as from members attending.
Need a Ride to Stroke Club Meetings
Many of our volunteers are willing to bring members to the meetings. Please call (515) 241-6799 to request a ride. Please leave a message with your name, phone number and address. Do not text this number. It is only a voice message system. Please call no later than 9 a.m. the day before the meeting and preferably the Friday before the Tuesday meeting. If you would prefer to email your ride request, please send an email to DM_StrokeClub@unitypoint.org.
Please enjoy the latest Stroke Club Newsletter and past editions.