Survivor & Caregiver Support
You Are Not Alone
Whether you are a stroke survivor, family caregiver, stroke coordinator, or social worker — this hub connects you to the resources, guides, and community you need to move forward.
7M+
Stroke survivors living in the U.S.
800K
New strokes occur every year
1 in 4
Stroke survivors have a second stroke
80%
Of strokes are preventable
For Survivors
Your Recovery Journey Starts Here
Life after stroke looks different for everyone. These resources are here to help you rebuild, reconnect, and reclaim your independence.
American Stroke Association
Comprehensive survivor guides, recovery tools, and a national support network from the leading stroke authority.
StrokeLine — 1-888-4-STROKE
Free helpline staffed by healthcare professionals. Call for guidance on recovery, treatment options, and local services.
National Aphasia Association
Resources and support groups for survivors experiencing aphasia — difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding language.
Stroke Comeback Center
Community-based programs offering group therapy, peer mentoring, and life skills training for stroke survivors.
Post-Stroke Depression Guide
Up to 1 in 3 survivors experience depression after stroke. Learn the signs, treatment options, and how to ask for help.
Driving After Stroke
Information on returning to driving, evaluation programs, and adaptive vehicle options for stroke survivors.
Stroke Awareness Foundation — Find a Certified Stroke Center
Download the Stroke Awareness Foundation app to locate the nearest Certified Stroke Center in your area — fast. Time is brain. Every minute counts when stroke strikes. Share this app with your loved ones so they know exactly where to go before an emergency happens.
Stroke doesn't discriminate
It Can Happen to Anyone
Stroke strikes across every age, race, and walk of life — including some of the most recognizable names in entertainment, sports, and public life. Their stories remind us that fast action saves lives.
Jamie Foxx
RecoveredActor & Musician·2023
Suffered a serious stroke in April 2023. After months of recovery, he publicly credited quick medical response and his faith for his survival.
Sharon Stone
RecoveredActress·2001
Experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage — bleeding around the brain. She spent years in recovery and became a vocal advocate for stroke awareness.
Frankie Muniz
RecoveredActor·2012
Suffered a mini-stroke (TIA) at age 26, highlighting that young people are not immune. His experience shocked many who assumed stroke only affects older adults.
Emilia Clarke
RecoveredActress·2011
Suffered two brain aneurysms while filming Game of Thrones. She underwent emergency surgery and founded SameYou, a charity supporting brain injury recovery.
Luke Perry
Passed awayActor·2019
Suffered a massive ischemic stroke at age 52 and passed away five days later — a stark reminder that stroke can be fatal and that time is critical.
Bret Michaels
RecoveredMusician·2010
Suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage at age 47. He was hospitalized for weeks and has since spoken openly about recovery and recognizing stroke symptoms.
Halle Berry
RecoveredActress·1994
Experienced a stroke-like episode in her mid-20s. The experience led her to become an advocate for diabetes and cardiovascular health awareness.
Tia Mowry
RecoveredActress·2023
Revealed she suffered a mini-stroke (TIA), joining a growing list of younger celebrities raising awareness that stroke is not just an older person's condition.
1 in 4
stroke survivors are under age 65
Stroke does not wait for old age. Knowing the signs — and acting fast — is the difference between recovery and permanent disability.
Learn the Warning SignsSocial connection & recovery
Connection Is Medicine
Research shows that socially engaged stroke survivors recover faster, regain more function, and report significantly higher quality of life. Isolation is a real risk after stroke — but it doesn't have to be your story.
40%
lower risk of recurrent stroke in socially active survivors
The people around me pulled me back into life. That's not a metaphor — it's literally what happened.
— CV-RAPS member, Stockton CA
Art & Music Therapy
Creative expression rebuilds neural pathways and restores confidence. Many survivors find their voice — literally and figuratively — through art, music, and crafts.
Walking Groups
Gentle movement with others combines physical rehabilitation with social connection. Walking groups reduce depression, improve balance, and build lasting friendships.
Cooking & Nutrition Classes
Learning heart-healthy cooking alongside others turns a medical necessity into a shared joy. Stroke-smart nutrition becomes a community activity, not a restriction.
More ways to stay connected
For Caregivers
Caring for Someone After Stroke
Caregiving is one of the most important — and demanding — roles a person can take on. These tools are here to support you too.
Understand the Survivor's Deficits
Work with the rehabilitation team to understand exactly what abilities were affected — mobility, speech, cognition, swallowing — and how to assist safely without creating dependence.
Attend Rehabilitation Sessions
When possible, join therapy sessions to learn techniques you can reinforce at home. Consistent practice between sessions significantly improves outcomes.
Watch for Post-Stroke Depression
Depression affects up to 33% of stroke survivors and many caregivers. Signs include persistent sadness, withdrawal, and loss of motivation. Speak with a doctor if you notice these changes.
Use Respite Care Services
Caregiver burnout is real. Respite care provides temporary relief — from a few hours to several days — so you can rest, recharge, and continue providing quality care.
Connect with a Support Group
Sharing experiences with other caregivers reduces isolation and provides practical advice. Ask your hospital social worker about local or virtual groups.
Take Care of Your Own Health
Caregivers who neglect their own health are less able to help others. Maintain your own medical appointments, sleep, nutrition, and social connections.
You don't have to face this alone.
For Professionals
Tools for Coordinators & Social Workers
Stroke coordinators, social workers, and healthcare professionals play a critical role in connecting patients to the right resources at the right time.
Joint Commission Stroke Certification
Standards and resources for hospitals seeking Primary or Comprehensive Stroke Center certification.
ASA Professional Membership
Access clinical guidelines, continuing education, and the latest stroke research through the American Stroke Association.
Centered Care Wellness
Telehealth and wellness resources supporting stroke survivors and caregivers with accessible, centered care services.
San Joaquin County Emergency Medical Services
Local EMS agency overseeing pre-hospital stroke protocols, STEMI and stroke receiving center designations, and emergency response coordination throughout San Joaquin County.
World Stroke Organization
Global stroke awareness, prevention, and treatment resources. The WSO leads worldwide efforts to reduce the burden of stroke through education, advocacy, and research.
NINDS Stroke Resources
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke — research updates, clinical trial information, and patient education materials.
CA central valley
Local Support in Our Community
StrokeWoke is rooted in the Central Valley. We connect survivors and caregivers to local programs, events, and healthcare partners in our region.
CV-RAPS Lunch & Learn
Monthly educational sessions for survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Expert speakers, peer connection, and community support. Held the 4th Tuesday of every month at Dignity Health / St. Joseph's Medical Center, Stockton.
Learn moreRun for the Brains
Annual stroke awareness fun run raising funds for local stroke education and survivor support programs.
Learn moreAH / Lodi Memorial Hospital Support Group
Local stroke support group meeting the 1st Monday of every month in the hospital library. A welcoming space for survivors and caregivers in the Lodi area.
Learn moreSutter Tracy Community Hospital Support Group
Stroke support group meeting the 3rd Thursday of every month at Sutter Tracy Community Hospital. Open to survivors, caregivers, and family members.
Learn moreDoctor's Memorial Hospital — Modesto
Stroke support resources and community programming available through Doctor's Memorial Hospital in Modesto, CA.
Learn moreJoseph B. Jr. & Mary Anne O'Neal Stroke Center
A dedicated stroke center serving the Carson, CA community with specialized stroke care, prevention programs, and survivor support resources.
Learn moreContact Our Team
Have a question or need a referral? Reach our team directly at 877-672-4480 or through our contact page.
Learn moreStrokeWoke helpline: 877-672-4480 | American Stroke Association: 1-888-4-STROKE
Ready to Connect?
No magic here. We are volunteers who want to lend a helping hand. We put on educational programs to educate the community and present avenues for you to connect with others but too often, we get calls when someone is in a state of panic and want everything done all at once. The more volunteers we have, the more people we can help. We all have been where you are today. Our #1 goal is PREVENTION.