Amputee Support Group

Last Thursday of each month

6:00pm-7:30pm

Stroke Support Group

Third Thursday of each month

6:00pm-7:00pm

Midlands Spinal Cord Injury Support Group

Last Tuesday of each month

6:30pm-8:00pm

Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group

First Thursday of each month

6:00pm-7:00pm

Please contact HealthSouth at (803) 254-7777 with questions.

Stroke Awareness and Prevention

Aging Population means Stroke numbers could rise: Rehabilitation is the key in recovery

According to the U.S. Census, the older population will burgeon between the years 2010 and 2030 as the “baby boom” generation reaches age 65. At the same time, one of the most frequently occurring conditions in older persons happens to be hypertension (41%), a leading indicator for Stroke.

For Stroke survivors, HealthSouth of Columbia, SC, offers a unique combination of both traditional and technological therapeutic advances to provide individualized stroke recovery plans based on specific patient needs.
Family members and caregivers should do their own research and ask the following questions when looking at rehabilitation options following stroke:

Does the organization use a "team approach" as the model for rehabilitation?
Is there a rehabilitation specialist leading the team?
Are educational groups and seminars provided?
How accessible is staff?
How many hours of therapy are provided each day?
How many patients return home - instead of going to nursing homes?
How often does the doctor visit patients?
What is the average length of stay?
Is there a case manager who works with the family?
Are there programs that concentrate on activities of daily living?
What about vocational training?
How extensive is your cognitive rehabilitation program?

At HealthSouth of Columbia, SC, we provide an average of 3 hours of therapy a day, five to six days a week depending on the patient’s level. We use a team approach and have a physician on site that makes daily rounds. Our average length of stay for a stroke patient is 16 days with 81% of patients being discharged to home.

Exercise prevents stroke and aids in stroke recovery

In observance of Stroke Awareness Month, held annually in May, HealthSouth of Columbia, SC, stresses the importance of exercise and how it can prevent stroke and help someone recover if they have a stroke. Recent studies found that a small amount of exercise each day, such as a short bike ride or a brisk walk, can decrease a person’s chance of experiencing a stroke.

Exercise lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, strengthens the lungs and aids with weight loss, all of which can be preventatives of heart disease or stroke. The American Heart Association states that a person’s inactivity increases chances of high blood pressure, a sign of potential stroke, by 30 to 50 percent.

According to the American Stroke Association, this past year about 795,000 strokes occurred and many of those could have been prevented. Strokes are the third-leading cause of death in the United States behind heart disease and cancer and can cause memory loss as well as loss of speech and mobility. Incorporating physical activity such as a 30-minute walk, swim, bike ride or jog into your daily routine can reduce or control your risk factors for heart disease and stroke. And, continuing to exercise following stroke rehabilitation, even in the smallest amount can help a patient continually improve their outcomes.