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Stroke
Communication
of stroke survivors experience communication difficulty 6 months or more post-stroke.
30-60%
Language - Aphasia
of individuals who experience a stroke experience chronic aphasia. Aphasia means difficulty with language. One may have difficulty understanding others, thinking of the words they want to say, reading, and/or writing.
30%
Speech
Dysarthria
Up to 24% of stroke survivors have been found to experience chronic dysarthria. Dysarthria means difficulty speaking because the muscles you use for speech are weak and/or cranial nerves are impaired. Your speech may sound slurred or mumbled.
Apraxia of speech
Up to 30% of stroke survivors have been found to experience apraxia of speech. Apraxia of speech is knowing the word(s) you want to say, but somewhere along the lines, the message of how to say it gets “jumbled up” in the brain. This results in saying a non-word or saying a different word than you intended. For example, your brain thinks “map” but you accidentally say “yap.”
Neurogenic Stuttering
This is stuttering that happens after a brain injury like a stroke .
Voice
Up to 60% of stroke survivors experience voice difficulty. Signs of voice difficulty include voice change after the stroke, hoarseness, and vocal fatigue.
How Therapy Can Help
At Sagebrush, we aim to reduce stroke related language, speech, and/or voice difficulties through researched based therapy approaches, education, training, and compensatory strategies.
Swallowing
43.7%
of individuals who have experienced an ischemic stroke have been found to have dysphagia 6-months post-stroke. Approximately 87% of strokes are ischemic (i.e., blocked blood flow in the brain). (Mao, etl al., 2024)
Signs of Swallowing Difficulty
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Choking/coughing while eating or drinking.
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Avoiding foods because they are difficult to swallow such as bread, meat, rice, or fibrous vegetables.
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Altering your food textures (e.g., cutting into tiny pieces, only eating soft foods, blending etc.).
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Difficulty chewing
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Pocketing food on one side of the mouth
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Stuck sensation in the throat
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How Therapy Can Help
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Reduce your risk of aspiration pneumonia.
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Improve eating and swallowing comfort.
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Improve your swallowing abilities through strengthening exercises (i.e., like physical therapy for the mouth and throat muscles) and compensatory strategies.​
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Cognition + Thinking Skills
Up to 50% of stroke survivors have been found to experience cognitive difficulty following their stroke.
Signs of Cognitive Difficulty
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Forgetting what you were just about to do
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Difficulty recalling information from conversations
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Losing items
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Forgetting to bring items with you
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Difficulty managing schedule, medication, and finances
How Therapy Can Help
At Sagebrush, we aim to improve your attention, memory, and executive-function abilities through brain health improvement, compensatory strategies, researched therapy approaches, and energy conservation.
Stroke Resources
Spark Rehab + Wellness
Sagebrush Speech Therapy partners with Spark Rehab + Wellness, a physical therapy and occupational therapy clinic in Bend that specializes in stroke. Physical therapy and occupational therapy help to improve your motor and visual abilities through researched based approaches.
Stroke Awareness Oregon
Stroke Awareness Oregon (SAO) is a non-profit created right here by members in Central Oregon. Its mission is to prevent Stroke and provide support for stroke survivors.
Stroke Warrior Radio
Stroke Warrior Radio (SWR) is another resource created and produced by Ralph Cortese, a Central Oregon member. SWR is a 24/7 internet-based radio station dedicated to stroke awareness, recovery, and support.
SWR features expert contributors, including physical, occupational, and mental health therapists, life coaches, and medical professionals, alongside stroke survivor stories and practical guidance on prevention, recovery, job transitions, and insurance navigation.
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You can even listen to two interviews completed by our very own Allison Phillips, on SWR.
SWR empowers listeners to overcome challenges, navigate recovery, and find HOPE—no matter how long it's been since their stroke.
National Aphasia Association
The National Aphasia Association (NAA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for, educating about, and supporting individuals with aphasia, their families, and caregivers.​
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Public Education & Awareness: Spreading knowledge about aphasia to reduce stigma and increase understanding.
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Support & Resources: Providing guides, online communities, and directories of speech therapy services.
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Advocacy & Research: Promoting policies that benefit people with aphasia and supporting research on treatments.
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Aphasia-Friendly Programs: Offering tools, webinars, and communication strategies to help individuals regain confidence and connection.
Central Oregon Stroke Support Groups
Stroke Warrior Support Group
Wherever you are in your post stroke journey, we welcome you to our Stroke Warrior Support Group. Your best possible recovery is of the utmost importance to the SAO team. Meetings include open topics and discussions led by trained facilitators as well as healthy, positive, stroke survivors.
Virtual meetings are held on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month at 3:00 pm Pacific Time via Zoom. Please use the link below to join the Stroke Warrior Support Group at the appropriate meeting times.
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In-person meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 2:00 pm Pacific Time at Stroke Awareness Oregon – 695 SW Mill View Way Bend, OR 97702.​
Caregiver + Family Support Group
Do you provide care or are you a family member to anyone suffering from a stroke or brain injury? Join others who understand the support you give and the many challenges you face. The Caregiver Support Group is a safe space to connect, share, learn, and cope together. Here, you can get the education, emotional reinforcement, and sense of community you need to provide the best possible care for stroke survivors without compromising your own well-being.
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Virtual meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 3:00 PM Pacific Time via Zoom.
Men's Monthly Support Group
This “low-key” group was created for men to share and connect about whatever comes to mind. Enjoy getting to know others in a similar position, while maintaining a safe space for stroke connection.
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Virtual meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 3:00 PM Pacific Time.
Young(er) Support Group
Living with a stroke can feel isolating at any age, with each age group having their own unique challenges. If your stroke occurred at age 50 or younger, SAO offers a safe space to share and learn ways to inspire growth and recovery with others on a similar journey.
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Virtual meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:00 PM Pacific Time via Zoom. Please use the link below to join the Stroke Warrior Support Group at the appropriate meeting times.