Stroke Survivor Resources
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Stroke Survivor Resources
Support Groups
Success Stories and Survivor Videos
In Minnesota, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability. There are over 100,000 stroke survivors living in Minnesota. Recovery from stroke varies for everyone.
It is important for stroke survivors and their caregivers to have support and connection to community resources to aid in the recovery process.
Resources
The Minnesota Stroke Association is dedicated to raising awareness of stroke, providing advocacy services, and enhancing the quality of life for all people coping with its sudden and long-term effects. As part of one’s recovery after stroke, the Minnesota Stroke Association offers FREE support services and Stroke Basics classes:
- Resource Facilitation online enrollment. The Resource Facilitation Program offers free follow-up services to provide information about stroke, and help navigating services and supports to stroke survivors and their loved ones.
- Stroke Basics Education Registration. Stroke Basics classes are offered quarterly (virtually) and discuss the different types of stroke, how strokes happen, and how injuries to specific areas of the brain can influence different symptoms.
The American Stroke Association Stroke Family Warmline connects stroke survivors and their families with an American Stroke Association team member who can provide support, helpful information or just a listening ear.
- Post Stroke Care Resources
- Life After Stroke Resource page and downloadable guide
Support Groups
MDH partners with hospitals throughout the state to keep a list of local support groups and resources for survivors and caregivers. For the most current information regarding support group meetings, please contact the support group contacts directly.
The American Stroke Association offers resources for support group development:
- Support Group Leader Resources: As a support group leader, this would be the main hub of our information for you.
- Starting a Support Group: This page provides information on starting a support group and features a link to our downloadable guide on Successful Stroke Support Groups (PDF).
- Lesson Modules: If you are looking to reengage your support group, this page has a few lesson modules that might help broach different topics and facilitate conversations on a variety of topics that impact survivors.
Statewide/Virtual
HealthPartners Stroke INSPIRE
Description: A place for connection between stroke survivors, care partners, family, and friends, for support, questions, and solidarity. These virtual groups are a combination of open-ended discussions initiated by participants and educational opportunities held once a month. These groups are free of charge, no RSVP necessary.
Contact information: View all HealthPartners Stroke INSPIRE support groups and programs hosted in person at statewide HealthPartners organizations and virtually on Eventbrite: Stroke INSPIRE. Please contact strokeinspire@healthpartners.com or call 952-993-6789 for meeting invitations and questions.
Lynn Oswald Brain Aneurysm Support Group
Description: The Lynn Oswald Brain Aneurysm Support Group was established in 2007 by a team of health professionals and brain aneurysm survivors in response to the growing number of individuals being diagnosed with brain aneurysms. Many expressed feelings of isolation and lack of understanding about their condition, treatment options, and what to expect following treatment. All are welcome!
Location: Meetings are currently conducted virtually, with the goal to resume in-person and virtual meetings soon.
Time: Meetings occur the second Thursday of every month from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. CST.
Contact: Please contact Tess Sierzant, RN, at tlsierzant@yahoo.com or 612-723-0823 for meeting invitations and questions.
Northern Minnesota
Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center- Duluth
Support group name: Essentia Health Stroke Support Group
Description: Essentia Health is pleased to be able to offer a monthly stroke support group to stroke survivors, their family and friends, and their caregivers.
Location: Virtual Meeting
Time: Last Wednesday of every month from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Contact information: If you are interested in attending, please contact Sandi Erickson.
Sandi Erickson, LSW, 218-786-5364, Sandi.erickson@essentiahealth.org
Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
Support group name: Survivors of Stroke & Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support Group
Description: Meet others affected by stroke and traumatic brain injuries to share stories and ideas, provide and receive support, and learn more about stroke and brain injury.
Location: Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, 1300 Anne Street, Education C, Bemidji, MN 56601
Time: Fourth Tuesday of each month from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Contact information: Call 218-333-5856 or email bemidji_stroke@sandfordhealth.org to learn more.
Central Minnesota
CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital
Support group name: Central MN Stroke Support Group
Description: A community resource and safe place for stroke survivors, care partners, family, and friends. The stroke support group offers an opportunity to support one another, inspire each other, and network.
Location: Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303
Time: 1st Wednesday of the month from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Contact information: If you are interested in attending, please contact Angie Moscho.
Angie Moscho MSN, RSN ONC, SCRN, Faith Community nurse, moschoa@centracare.com
Twin Cities Metro Area
Abbott Northwestern
On hold due to COVID-19.
Hennepin Healthcare
On hold due to COVID-19.
North Memorial
Support group name: Discovery Circle
Description: Open to all stroke survivors in the community
Location: Telephone meeting
Time: The 2nd Monday of the month from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Contact information: If you are interested in attending, please contact Katie Meehan at 763-581-3650 or stroke.center@northmemorial.com (preferred contact).
United Hospital
Support group name: United Hospital Stroke Support Group
Description: Monthly meeting for stroke survivors to connect and discuss topics of interest. Led by a rehab nurse and free of charge.
Location: United Hospital Room 1878C (near main elevators) - Currently online.
Time: 2nd Thursday of each month from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Contact information: If you are interested in attending, please contact Lynn Svendsen, RN, CKRI Care Coordinator 651-241-4823
Western Minnesota
Altru Health System
On hold due to COVID-19.
Sanford Medical Center Fargo
Support group name: Survivors of Stroke Support Group (Sanford Fargo)
Description: This support group is for anyone who has experienced a stroke, as well as for their family members and caregivers. Monthly meetings include 1) a topic related to stroke or stroke recovery and/or an activity, 2) sharing of individual challenges and coping skills after stroke, and 3) encouragement for continued stroke recovery and stroke prevention.
Location: Sanford South University Medical Center at 1720 S. University Drive, Fargo, ND. There is visitor parking on east side of hospital, off of 11th St.
Virtual option available.
Time: Third Thursday of the month from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Contact information: If you are interested in attending, please contact strokefargo@sanfordhealth.org
Sanford USD Medical Center
Support group name: Sioux Empire Stroke Support Club
Description: Our club includes stroke survivors and supporters from Sioux Falls region.
Location: Virtual meeting
Time: Every 2nd Monday of the month at 4:00 p.m.
Contact information: If you are interested in attending, please contact Jessie Wolf at 605-328-4970, Jill Rye at 605-322-2170
Essentia Health Fargo
Support group name: Stroke Support Group
Description: Support group for stroke survivors and their families, friends, and caregivers. Meetings can include group discussion, guest speakers, and/or activities.
Location: Essentia Health Hospital, 3000 32nd Ave. S., Fargo, ND, 58104; Virtual Meeting Option Available.
Time: The last Thursday of every month from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Contact information: If you are interested in attending, please contact Molly Murch at 701-367-4509 or email strokesupportgroup@essentiahealth.org
Success Stories and Survivor videos
Stroke can happen to anyone at any time. Although recovery will look different from person to person, it can be comforting to see how others recovered from their stroke. Please watch these success stories and survivor videos below.
Minnesota Department of Health: Stroke System/ASRH
Learn what goes into developing an acute stroke-ready hospital. MDH Stroke Unit team member Michelle Gray Ansari discusses the time, energy, and resources spent to ensure these Minnesota hospitals meet stringent criteria to be classified as acute stroke-ready hospitals. With the statewide approach to improving stroke care, 96% of Minnesotans now live within 30 minutes of a stroke-ready hospital.
Buffalo: Part 1
Buffalo resident Susan Yanish retells the story of her stroke episode in her home's garage. She was taken to the Buffalo Hospital in Buffalo, Minnesota, where she was immediately treated by the hospital’s Stroke Team, which is designated as an acute stroke-ready hospital.
Buffalo: Part 2
Buffalo resident Susan Yanish retells the story of her stroke episode in her home’s garage. She felt numbness, and Susan’s husband acted immediately and called 911. Because of his fast action, Susan made a full recovery post-stroke.
Perham
A short story with stroke survivor, Joe Blesi, detailing some challenges he's faced in recovery along with the care he received at Perham Health. Special thanks to Joe and Anita Blesi, Tammy Nevela, Laura Nyhus, Sue VonRuden, Hayley Dennison, Olivia McNair, Perham Dairy Queen, and the Perham Area Community Center.
CentraCare Monticello
As a retired nurse, Rae never expected to have a stroke. However, one day she started to have eye coordination problems, and after a phone call with her son, he decided to take her to the emergency room. By moving quickly and getting treated with a clot-busting drug, Rae made a full recovery and is still living a very high quality of life.
Brainerd
Sometimes, stroke symptoms are not obvious. Howard and Sharon retell the story of Howard's stroke. Although he did not have any physical symptoms besides being unable to speak, his wife took action immediately and made sure that he got to the emergency room as soon as possible. Within 36 minutes, he was able to be treated with medication and has since made a strong recovery.
Glacial Ridge
Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood, Minnesota, is an acute stroke-ready hospital, a designated Level IV Trauma Center, and a Critical Access Hospital. In 2010, Glacial Ridge Hospital was one of the first hospitals outside of the metro to implement telestroke with great success. As a rural hospital—one of 115 stroke hospitals across Minnesota in 2020—this readiness benefits the residents who live in our area.