|
Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
September 2009
===================================
~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: RESEARCH on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation; Screening for PAD Predicts Future Stroke
*** Intensive Aphasia Therapy News ***
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS: Quick and Easy Reference
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Can You Prevent Burn-out?
*** Back to Work Tips for Stroke Survivors ***
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Brain Food
5. WHAT'S NEW on: http://www.StrokeSurvivor.com
6. Stroke Reading Problems? Free Read-aloud Software
7. Subscribe
========================================
Please forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues who would benefit from these tips. Click it forward to people in your stroke club, volunteer groups, place of worship, community services and neighbors, too!
========================================
1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Screening for PAD Predicts Future Stroke
Peripheral artery disease (PAD), even without outward symptoms, can be a significant predictor of future strokes, according to a recent study. Comparing blood flow measurements in the ankle to the arm, the "ankle brachial index (ABI)," in 102 survivors of stroke and transient schemic attacks (TIAs) showed that 26% had asymptomatic PAD. During the following two years, these patients with PAD had three times more heart attacks, strokes, or death from cardiovascular events than the 16% who had no PAD
PAD is caused by plaque clogging the blood vessels in the leg. Symptoms include leg pain, cramps, and difficulty during walking. Patients often do not recognize the implications of these symptoms and do not report them to their doctors.
This study was conducted by the Stroke Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and supports guidelines that at-risk patients should be screened for PAD with an ABI test, even if they do not report symptoms.
The study was published in the online August 27, 2009 issue of the journal "Stroke," click here.
To read a summary, click here.
For additional resources to help you find information on medical, health, rehabilitation, recovery, self-empowerment, and more, we have collected our favorite links, click here.
========================================
*** ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE IN OUR NEWSLETTER ***
Contact us at Paul@strokesurvivor.com or 703-241-2375. Special rates for newsletter & web: www.strokesurvivor.com!
========================================
*Intensive Aphasia Therapy News *
In my search for budget-minded alternative therapies, I found Bill Connors at the Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and Education Center (PATREC). I enjoy his innovative approach and tools at http://www.aphasiatoolbox.com.
Bill and I use a webcam and Skype for my 3-times-a-week sessions. I set my goals and the pace. I have lots of homework, most that I do alone on my own schedule. My friends tell me they are impressed with my improvement.
This month's progress update: I'm working on what Bill calls "verbal working memory." Bill gives me a sentence with 3 or 4 words, then I play with the order from memory, reversing the words, putting er, by number of letters in each word, and then I recall the original sentence
For details on this exercise, and a complimentary consumer Q&A fact sheet, contact Bill Connors at bill@aphasiatoolbox.com or phone 724-494-2534.
========================================
2. PAUL’S TIPS FOR SURVIVORS: Quick and Easy Reference
As a stroke survivor, I am very proud of my independence. I work hard and plan ahead. I write my appointments and meetings on a pocket calendar. I print out computer maps to plan my route before I get in the car so I understand where I am going and how much time I will need. Since I have aphasia, I have trouble processing oral directions quickly, so I cannot use a talking GPS. The print-out is easy and I can make the map as large as I need it.
For special activities or out-of-town travel, I type an itinerary. I cut and paste the airline flight numbers and times, the hotel address and phone, local friends or business contacts, dates and times for meetings and activities, and times to leave for the airport. I also copy in phone numbers of the taxi company, pet sitter, and family contacts and doctors in case of an emergency. When I went to England, I also copied my passport number, in case I lost it. Then, I send a copy to my family so they can contact me (or help me if I have a problem).
I print a few copies of my itinerary for everyone I am traveling with, and keep one in my pocket. I read it often, to remind me where and when I need to be ready, and to confirm flight or hotel information. This is helpful for everyone, and I feel very independent to have this ready reference.
Do you have a tip to share? Send it to me at
Paul@strokesurvivor.com for a free gift if we use it.
========================================
 3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Can You Prevent Burn-out?
I think being a caregiver for a stroke survivor can become more stressful as the survivor regains more abilities and becomes more independent. Planning, scheduling, coordinating, accessibility, transportation, details, details, details, usually need to be handled by the caregiver.
The next few months through the holiday season are particularly stressful times, with increasing demands from work, from the family, and the survivor. When you can no longer handle the physical and emotional overload--you shut down, burn out, crash, stop functioning. For me, burn-out was catching a really bad cold, and not being able to get out of bed for two days. Sleep, tea, soup, and disconnecting helped me to recover.
I learned:
* Anyone can hit a wall--the survivor and the
caregiver
* After a stroke, you develop a "new normal"
* You develop coping mechanisms--"if I can just get through the end of the week, I'll be all right..."
* You can manage an obvious big crisis, then some seemingly small issue crashes the daily routine
* Impending burn-out is hard to recognize because the load builds gradually
* When you feel that no one understands or appreciates you, turning to comfort food (or drink) can backfire
* Being too physically ill to function is the body's/brain's way of getting a break to deal with the overload.
Stroke recovery doesn't have built-in milestones like school semesters--it feels never-ending. But you can set your own dates to celebrate, take a break, change the routine, stay in bed.
Can you prevent overload and burn out? **Probably not.
Can you "treat" burn-out? **Yes! You should probably adjust your expectations and schedule, and consider
seekingsupport or assistance in managing day-to-day physical and emotional stresses.
Can you recover and go on? **Yes!
For more tips for caregivers, click here.
========================================
*** Back to Work Tips in YOU CAN DO IT! ***
Stroke Survivors Can Return to Work
Paul had his stroke at 36, and was too young to retire. It was hard, but he found work
"YOU CAN DO IT, 105 Thoughts, Feelings and Solutions to Inspire You" for stroke survivors, families and professionals. Real feelings, real thoughts, real everyday solutions. With a special section on returning to work
"YOU CAN DO IT," written by a stroke survivor, is easy-to-read, easy to listen to. Choose book format or audio CD, or both to read long as you listen. For excerpts and details please, click here. or click here.
========================================
** StrokeSmart Magazine Features Stephanie's Column **
The National Stroke Association's magazine "StrokeSmart" features a column on Caregiving by Stephanie in each 2009 issue. The January-February issue focused on caring for the caregivers with the twist of using career and other coaches. The March-April issue focused on building the caregiving team. The May-June issue focused on building independence for both the survivor and caregiver. The July-August issue discusses time management. Subscriptions are free and available from the NSA's website, click here.
========================================
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Brain Food
I survived a stroke, so taking good care of my brain is very important to me. Research shows that omega-3 fats help your brain and overall health--which I get by sprinkling a teaspoon of ground flaxseed on my cereal every morning. A bag of dry roasted whole flaxseeds from a gourmet grocery store lasts for months. Flaxseeds should be kept in the freezer in a container (like a plastic food saver) until you are ready to grind them and eat. I grind them easily with one hand in a coffee mill--the same small electric grinder used for coffee beans.
For info on the health value of flaxseeds, click here.
To see a coffee mill like mine, click here.
For details on Paul-tested helpful products, click here and click here.
========================================
5. WHAT'S NEW on the Stroke Survivor.com web site.
We're adding helpful new things to our web site all the
time. Coming soon is:
We have many useful links for survivors, families and professionals on rehabilitation, motivation, and to regain fulfillment posted to our Resource Links pages, click here
========================================
Would you like to view a previous month's newsletter? Visit our newsletter archive, click here.
========================================
6. Stroke/Aphasia Reading problems?
After a stroke, many people have reading and other language problems, known as "aphasia." Hearing a sentence read aloud helps to understand it. You can hear this newsletter read aloud while each word is highlighted on the computer screen with the FREE text reader software.
========================================
FIND INSPIRATION AND SOLUTIONS AT AT STROKESURVIVOR.COM
Stroke survivors, family, friends, professionals...anyone seeking inspiration, motivation, and more!
Find books, audio-books, tapes, and special tools created for stroke recovery by stroke survivor-expert, Paul Berger, click here.
========================================
7. SUBSCRIBE
Welcome to our online newsletter. If you would like to receive a copy each month, please sign up by completing the blue form on the right.
~~<<>>~~
Copyright (c) Paul E. Berger & Stephanie Mensh
Permission is granted to reprint these articles
in your newsletter or magazine only with the following byline: "Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh are speakers and authors. To find out more about their programs and services, visit www.StrokeSurvivor.com
or call (703) 241-2375.
|
