Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency that happens when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, either by a blockage or a burst blood vessel. This disruption causes brain cells to be deprived of oxygen, leading to damage. Strokes can cause sudden symptoms like weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, or vision problems, and require immediate medical attention. Quick treatment is crucial and may involve medication or surgery, depending on the type of stroke. Afterward, rehabilitation like physical or speech therapy is often needed to aid recovery and prevent future strokes.
Maine Resources
MaineHealth - Stroke Care - Provides comprehensive stroke and neurovascular services across its network, led by Maine Medical Center—the state’s only Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. It offers 24/7 emergency care, advanced clot-removal procedures, and expert consultations through its Telestroke Network. Patients also have access to coordinated inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services tailored to support long-term recovery. The program serves individuals across Maine and New Hampshire, ensuring timely, specialized stroke care close to home.
New England Rehabilitation Hospital - Stroke Support Group - Offers in-person meetings for stroke survivors and caregivers. Facilitated by healthcare professionals, the group provides educational and emotional support, fostering a space for sharing experiences and coping strategies. Meetings occur on the first Monday of each month from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM Eastern Time in the Brighton Room on the third floor. The group is open to all community members affected by stroke, including caregivers. For more information, contact Laura Young, PT, at (207) 662-8428 or via email.
Northern Light Health - Stroke Support Group - Offers a monthly Stroke Support Group designed for stroke survivors and their caregivers. The group provides a supportive environment for sharing experiences, gaining insights, and building connections with others navigating stroke recovery. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, both in person at the Cardiac Rehab Kitchen on the State Street Campus and virtually via Zoom. This hybrid format ensures accessibility for participants across Maine. For more information or to join, contact Angela Wheelden at 207-973-8278 or awheelden@northernlight.org.
Stroke Care - Central Maine Healthcare - Offers comprehensive stroke care through its Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center. The program provides rapid emergency treatment, including clot-busting medications and advanced interventions like angioplasty and aneurysm coiling. Post-stroke rehabilitation services encompass physical, occupational, and speech therapies, tailored to support recovery and improve quality of life. Serving patients across Central Maine, Central Maine Healthcare emphasizes swift response and coordinated care to optimize stroke outcomes.
The Northeast Cerebrovascular Consortium (NECC) - An independent organization established in 2006 to enhance stroke care across eight Northeastern states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. NECC develops and implements recommendations based on the Stroke Systems of Care Model, aiming to improve stroke systems and assess their impact. The consortium conducts regional pilot projects, such as initiatives on discharge education and rehabilitation assessment, and organizes annual educational summits that convene healthcare professionals, administrators, and public health leaders to address state-specific and regional stroke care challenges. Through these efforts, NECC fosters collaboration among stakeholders to advance stroke care quality and outcomes in the region.
Regional Resources
Boston Medical Center - Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center - Boston Medical Center is a Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center offering 24/7 emergency stroke care, advanced diagnostics, and specialized treatments such as thrombectomy and carotid stenting. Its multidisciplinary team includes stroke neurologists, interventional neuroradiologists, and cerebrovascular neurosurgeons who manage complex cerebrovascular conditions. Boston Medical also participates in national stroke research through NIH StrokeNet and offers a vascular neurology fellowship program. Located in Boston’s South End, the center serves patients across New England with a focus on equitable, evidence-based care.
Massachusetts General Hospital - Comprehensive Stroke Center - The first certified Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center in Massachusetts, providing expert care for complex stroke cases. Its multidisciplinary team offers 24/7 emergency treatment, advanced neuroimaging, neurocritical care, and both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. Through its TeleStroke Network, the hospital extends specialized stroke care to over 30 emergency departments across New England. Patients benefit from a comprehensive approach that integrates acute treatment, prevention, recovery, and education.
Northeast Rehabilitation - Stroke Rehab Therapy - Offers specialized inpatient stroke rehabilitation at four hospitals across New Hampshire. Patients receive a minimum of three hours of daily therapy—including physical, occupational, and speech-language services—administered by certified stroke rehabilitation specialists and rehabilitation nurses. Advanced technologies such as LiteGait and Bioness devices support mobility and limb recovery, while digital swallow studies assist with dysphagia management. NRHN also provides comprehensive support for patients and families, including peer visits, educational programs, and connections to community support groups, fostering holistic recovery.
Southern NH Health - Stroke Treatment - Provides comprehensive stroke care at its DNV-certified Primary Stroke Center in Nashua. The center offers 24/7 emergency services, including rapid diagnostics and thrombolytic therapy, with TeleStroke technology enabling swift consultation with specialists. Post-acute care encompasses inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient therapy programs tailored to individual recovery needs. Serving the greater Nashua area, the program emphasizes early recognition of stroke symptoms using the B.E.F.A.S.T. protocol and community education initiatives.
Teddy's Team - Comeback Assistance Program - Dedicated to raising awareness of stroke and heart disease while supporting survivors on their recovery journeys. The Comeback Assistance Program (CAP), launched in 2019, provides financial support to stroke and heart disease survivors and their caregivers for expenses not typically covered by insurance, such as extended physical and speech therapies, medical equipment, and related costs. The program is designed to alleviate the financial burden on families, offering a helping hand during the recovery process. Applicants should note that CAP does not cover existing medical or personal bills, home health care, travel or lodging, medications, insurance, home improvements, or housing-related expenses. Based in Plainville, Massachusetts, Tedy’s Team also partners with institutions like the MGH Institute of Health Professions and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago to further support stroke and heart disease survivors through education and rehabilitation programs.
National Resources
American Stroke Association (ASA) - A division of the American Heart Association, ASA is committed to reducing the incidence of stroke and improving outcomes for survivors. Established in 1998, the ASA provides comprehensive support through education, research, and advocacy. It offers resources for stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery, including the Stroke Family Warmline, support groups, and a resource library. The ASA serves individuals affected by stroke, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, aiming to enhance quality of life and reduce stroke-related disparities.
American Stroke Association - Daily Living - Offers a comprehensive suite of resources to assist stroke survivors and their caregivers in adapting to daily life post-stroke. Their "Daily Living" section provides practical guidance on personal care, managing common challenges like dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and establishing new routines to regain independence. Notably, the "Simply Good" cookbook offers recipes which can be tailored for those with swallowing difficulties, promoting nutritious and enjoyable meals. Additionally, the Life After Stroke Guide, available in both English and Spanish, serves as a valuable tool for navigating recovery and fostering resilience. These resources aim to empower individuals to rebuild strength, confidence, and quality of life after a stroke.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Stroke Overview - Covers stroke signs and symptoms, risk factors, prevention strategies, treatment options, and statistical data. The CDC emphasizes the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms promptly and acting F.A.S.T. (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 9-1-1) to improve outcomes. They also offer targeted information for specific populations, including men, women, and caregivers, to address unique risk factors and support needs. Through initiatives like the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program, the CDC works to enhance stroke care systems across the United States, aiming to reduce stroke-related disabilities and deaths.
Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) - Dedicated to improving the lives of children, young adults, and families affected by pediatric stroke and other causes of hemiplegia or hemiplegic cerebral palsy. CHASA offers a range of programs, including orthotic grants, educational and activity scholarships, online and local support groups, and resources tailored for both newly diagnosed families and adults living with hemiplegia since childhood. The organization serves individuals and families worldwide, providing tools and community connections to navigate the challenges associated with hemiplegia. Key features include the CHASA Orthotic Grant Program, the Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy Shoe Exchange, annual family retreats, and a variety of online discussion groups. CHASA also collaborates with researchers through participant recruitment and promotes pediatric stroke awareness initiatives. Based in Arlington, Texas, CHASA has been supporting families since 1996.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) - Dedicated to reducing the burden of neurological diseases through research and education. Its Patient & Caregiver Education portal offers accessible, evidence-based resources on a wide range of neurological conditions, including stroke, epilepsy, dementia, and rare disorders. Designed for patients, families, and caregivers, the site features plain-language materials such as the "Brain Basics" series, downloadable publications, and condition-specific guides. Additional tools include the "Mind Your Risks®" campaign, which links high blood pressure to stroke and dementia, and the "Know Stroke" initiative, emphasizing early recognition and treatment. These resources aim to empower individuals with knowledge to manage neurological health effectively.
Stroke Support Association (SSA) - A nonprofit organization based in Long Beach, California, dedicated to empowering stroke survivors and their caregivers with resources to recover, reclaim, and rebuild their lives. Since 1980, SSA has offered free, weekly support groups that meet both in person and via Zoom, providing separate sessions for survivors and caregivers to address their unique challenges. These meetings foster a supportive community where participants can share experiences, gain coping strategies, and find encouragement. In addition to support groups, SSA offers a curated list of online stroke resources and maintains a Special Needs Fund to assist members facing financial barriers to recovery.