In The Valley, Press Release

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network to Host Free Stroke-Risk Screening Event in South Allentown


Allentown, PA — Although strokes can be unpredictable, knowing your risk factors is the first step to taking preventive action.

To help community members understand their own potential risks of stroke, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network is hosting a free stroke-risk screening event on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will take place at Good Shepherd’s Hyland Center for Health & Technology Center Middle Level, 850 S. 5th Street, Allentown. The event is open to anyone age 18 and older.

According to the CDC, more than 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke — that’s someone having a stroke every 40 seconds.

“Screenings can help identify stroke risk factors, such as cholesterol, high blood pressure or blood sugar, or modifiable lifestyle habits,” says Rachel Burke, MS, OTR/L, CSRS, who is an inpatient rehabilitation occupational therapist and Good Shepherd’s stroke program co-chair.

Good Shepherd will offer a variety of free stations, including:

  • Fall-risk assessments and education on how to decrease your risk of falling
  • Heart rate and blood pressure screening
  • Height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist-circumference assessment
  • Nutrition education

“The sooner people can identify their own stroke risks, the sooner they can work with their doctor on ways to reduce those risks,” says Sarah Rice, MS, OTR/L, CSRS, an inpatient rehabilitation occupational therapist and Good Shepherd’s stroke program co-chair.

A food truck with healthy offerings will be available for attendees, too. Free parking is available in Good Shepherd’s South 5th Street parking garage.

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital in Allentown is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Specialty Program; CARF is the gold standard in rehabilitation. Additionally, Good Shepherd offers home health services in surrounding counties and outpatient stroke rehabilitation services at more than 20 locations throughout eastern Pennsylvania.

For more information about the Aug. 3 event, visit GoodShepherdRehab.org or call 1-888-44-REHAB (73422).

 

Information provide to TVL by:
Mike Walbert
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network