Beckley ARH Hospital and Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center will host monthly Stroke Support Group meetings beginning May 1 in Beckley and May 14 in Hazard.

The meetings, according to ARH Neuroscience Service Line Coordinator Rachel Jenkins, are designed to provide support, education and awareness for stroke survivors and their families.

“Stroke and TIAs (transient ischemic attacks) have affected so many individuals in southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky,” she said.

“We know that stroke impacts the lives of not only survivors, but also their families and loved ones, especially their caregivers.

“We want our patients and families to know that they aren’t alone after their time in the hospital is finished.”

The initial meetings will serve as informational meet and greets, as attendees are introduced to ARH staff members.

“We want to talk to and listen to people’s stories so we can help better understand the kind of information and resources they would like us to provide in future meetings,” said ARH Community Development Manager Kelly Elkins.

Beckley ARH Stroke Coordinator Courtney Jackson added, “We just want to educate area residents not only on how to care for themselves and for their families post-stroke, but also educate them on stroke risks and how to prevent them.”

Misty Lewis, Stroke and Trauma Coordinator at Hazard ARH, said she encourages anyone whose lives have been touched by stroke to attend the meetings.

“We want to find out if there resources we can provide them, such as emotional support, equipment needs, dietary support, risk modification or education on the disease process,” Lewis explained, adding the meetings also provide an opportunity for survivors and their families to forge communities amongst themselves.

“Sometimes, it is just good to know you are not alone,” she continued. “It can be helpful to know there are other people who are facing the same issues or barriers as you.”

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Beckley ARH’s first Stroke Support Group meeting will take place May 1 at 2 p.m. at the Beckley Raleigh County Commission on Aging. Meetings are scheduled for the first Wednesday of every month.

Hazard ARH’s first meeting is scheduled for May 14 at 3 p.m. in the 1^st floor classroom of the hospital. Additional meetings will take place on the second Tuesday of each month.

Each meeting will include healthy snacks, goodie bags and educational information from guest speakers.

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Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), is a not-for-profit health system operating 14 hospitals in Barbourville, Hazard, Harlan, Hyden, Martin, McDowell, Middlesboro, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, West Liberty, Whitesburg, and South Williamson in Kentucky and Beckley and Hinton in West Virginia, as well as multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, home medical equipment stores and retail pharmacies and medical spas. ARH employs approximately 6,700 people with an annual payroll and benefits of $474 million generated into our local economies. ARH also has a network of more than 1,300 providers on staff across its multi-state system. ARH is the largest provider of care and the single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky, and the third-largest private employer in southern West Virginia.