(November 6, 2012; Henderson, Nev.) – St. Rose Dominican Hospitals was honored at the Raising Awareness in Stroke Excellence (RAISE) Awards October 19, 2012, in the category of “Outstanding Support Group” for its Aphasia Lunch Bunch support group.
Offered through St. Rose’s Barbara Greenspun WomensCare Centers of Excellence, the Aphasia Lunch Bunch is making an impact in the stroke and aphasia community in southern Nevada by helping members cope with life changes they experience associated with stroke or traumatic brain injury. The support group provides meetings, activities, conferences, educational materials and videos to members and their caregivers.
Aphasia is a language disability caused by brain injury, (e.g., stroke, brain trauma, brain tumors, neurological degeneration) to parts of the brain that control language. More than 1 million people in the United States have aphasia, which may affect how a person speaks, reads, writes or understands what other people say. Many people with aphasia experience partial spontaneous recovery within a few days to a month after brain injury, yet some amount of aphasia typically remains.
Meetings are filled with sharing ideas and solutions, and classes on everything from alternate methods of communication to cooking healthy meals are eagerly attended. The goal is to help every individual, family member and caregiver cope with and conquer the difficulties and the life changes associated with stroke.
“We are just so pleased that our efforts are making a difference in our community and in the lives of those living with aphasia,” said Holly Lyman, director of the WomensCare Centers. “To have those efforts recognized on a national level is gratifying.”
The award comes from the National Stroke Association, the only national organization in the United States that focuses 100 percent of its efforts on stroke by developing compelling education and programs on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support for those impacted by stroke. Its mission is to reduce the incidence and impact of stroke.
The Aphasia Lunch Bunch meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 2:30 p.m. at the Black Mountain Grill, 11021 S. Eastern Ave., in Henderson. To find out more about the Aphasia Lunch Bunch or other classes and support groups offered through the Barbara Greenspun WomensCare Centers of Excellence, please call (702) 616-4900.
