Kalamazoo Stroke Club

In 1974, after surviving a massive stroke, Bobbie Heinzelman recognized the need for community support for stroke survivors like herself, their families and caregivers and organized three stroke support programs in Kalamazoo.

Heinzelman, a nurse and Red Cross Instructor, realized that her recovery depended on more than just the care she received in the hospital. Complete recovery also depends on support and care from family and friends, rehabilitation centers, therapists and community support groups.

Heinzelman started three community programs to aid stroke survivors and their families; the One- to- One Stroke Program, The Kalamazoo Stroke Club and the Nursing Home Stroke Club. These programs are sponsored by Senior Services, Inc. Senior Services is funded by The Greater Kalamazoo United Way, foundations and private donors.

These programs provide encouragement and support to the survivor and family and consist of caring community volunteers who offer two to three hours a week to these families. They go in to private homes, nursing homes and hospitals to provide conversation and stimulus to stroke survivors and offer respite care to primary caregivers.

The Kalamazoo Stroke Club meets at Senior Services for meetings, educational lectures and often times outings such as to restaurants, color tours and museums.

"These programs have helped hundreds of people over the years. There is no need to be alone and isolated anymore," Mrs. Heinzelman said.

"It's a good chance for survivors and their families to realize that they are not alone and that others have gone through this life changing disease as well," said Dick Heinzelman, Volunteer Coordinator of the Stroke Programs and Bobbie's husband.

Volunteers are trained in stroke prevention, support and other various aspects of stroke. They are then given orientations at Senior Services and with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. They provide stroke information to survivors and caregivers, provide support, encouragement and motivation and often introduce the stroke survivors back into the community.

"I worked with one man for about eight years," Mr. Heinzelman said. "He couldn't talk much but he sure loved the ice cream cones at McDonald's. We went there all the time."

Many volunteers are professionals such as nurses and teachers but many are individuals who have dealt with stroke in their own lives whether as a survivor as a spouse or relative of a stroke sufferer.

Volunteers can be any age and the only requirements are that the volunteer go through the stroke support training and be able to give two to three hours of their time each week.

"Most of the volunteers become very attached to the people they work with," Mr. Heinzelman said. "Some very nice relationships develop."

These support groups are facing some serious problems.

"Not only do we not have enough volunteers, there simply is not enough people in the community aware of how serious strokes can be. We also lack the support of the medical community," Mr. Heinzelman stated.

Strokes are the third leading cause of death in America and one out of every five Americans will suffer from one.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. These "brain attacks" can strike anyone at anytime and are not limited to older adults. The effects of a stroke vary depending on the area of the brain that is affected. Loss of speech and paralysis is common.

Like heart attacks, knowing the risks and symptoms of strokes can reduce the chances of actually having one.

"People think that if they hear about them, they'll have one. It really is much better to be aware and have the ability to protect yourself," Mr. Heinzelman said.

Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol blood levels and weight, exercising, and eating right can help diminish the occurrence of these brain attacks.

Transient Ischemic Attacks, or TIA's, are warning signs of a possible future stroke and should be taken seriously. Symptoms of TIA's include temporary dizziness, unsteadiness, sudden weakness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side; sudden loss of speech or trouble talking, unexplained severe headache, dimness of vision or double vision and rapid personality change. These TIA's can last from a few seconds to several hours and should be reported to a physician immediately.

Recent evidence has indicated that treatment within the first six hours after a stroke can be crucial and can minimize permanent damage.

"We just need caring people to continue volunteering," Mr. Heinzelman said. "Our club has been effective for the stroke survivor, the caregivers and the volunteer."

There are many families waiting for volunteers to help them adjust to the effects of a stroke in their lives and male volunteers are especially needed.

"We make it very clear from the start that if either the family or the volunteer is unhappy with the arrangement they are in no way obligated to stay," said Mr. Heinzelman. "They can leave the program at any time."

Please contact Senior Services, Inc. at 382-0515 for further information or to participate in this program.