Nurturing Hope: Approaches to Caring for Loved Ones with Chronic Health Condition

 

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image via Freepik

by Andrea Needham ( andrea@eldersday.org ) 

When a loved one suffers a stroke, the path to recovery often feels daunting and complex. Yet, your role in their journey is pivotal, filled with opportunities to significantly enhance their quality of life. By adopting a holistic approach that integrates personalized care, you can transform their daily challenges into a series of manageable steps toward healing and happiness.

Tailored Comfort

Try preparing a care package designed specifically for them. Whether it’s their favorite snacks, soothing teas, or comforting books, these thoughtful gestures show your deep understanding of their preferences. Include items that cater to their new needs post-stroke, such as easy-to-hold utensils or customized clothing, to make everyday tasks a little easier. Every item should reassure them of your support and enhance their comfort at home.

Organizing a Balanced Health Schedule

Your support can extend into organizing a comprehensive health schedule that prioritizes not just medical appointments but also much-needed periods of rest and relaxation. Integrate enjoyable activities they can look forward to, like watching a favorite movie or a gentle walk in the park, ensuring they have moments that spark joy and relaxation amidst their recovery routine. This balance between care and leisure encourages a healthier, happier recovery process.

Career Inspiration Through

Compassionate Care

Supporting your loved one through their recovery from a stroke could inspire you to take your professional skills to the next level. If you're a nurse, you may consider this a prime opportunity to advance your qualifications by pursuing an online RN or BSN degree, enhancing your ability to provide top-notch patient care. Online educational programs are specifically designed to accommodate your busy schedule, allowing you to balance the demands of work and caregiving seamlessly.

Exploring Holistic Healing Techniques

Consider integrating alternative healing practices like acupuncture, yoga, or mindfulness meditation into their recovery plan. These therapies can complement traditional medical treatments by alleviating some of the emotional and physical stress associated with stroke recovery. For example, yoga can improve flexibility and balance, acupuncture might reduce post-stroke pain, and mindfulness can help manage depression and anxiety, fostering a sense of peace and well-being.

Leveraging Helpful Technology

In today’s digital age, numerous apps and tools can simplify the management of medication and symptom tracking. Introduce your loved one to apps that provide medication reminders or enable symptom tracking to help them stay on top of their health. Telehealth services are also invaluable, offering access to medical professionals without the need for frequent hospital visits, making healthcare more accessible and less exhausting.

Encouraging Artistic Expression

Engagement in creative activities like art therapy, music, or writing can be incredibly therapeutic for stroke survivors. These activities offer a way to express feelings and experiences that are often too complex for words. Encouraging your loved one to paint, draw, write, or play music can provide them with a powerful emotional outlet, reducing stress and improving overall mental health.

Ensuring Emotional Support

Regular check-ins where you listen actively and validate their feelings are essential. It’s important that your loved one feels heard and understood, not just about their health, but their fears, frustrations, and everyday experiences. This level of empathy and understanding can greatly enhance their emotional well-being and fortify their resilience in facing the challenges of recovery.

Expanding Support Networks

Helping your loved one build a robust support network can significantly ease their recovery journey. Connect them with support groups, online communities, or resources like United Stroke Alliance that offer both companionship and practical help. These connections provide emotional solace and valuable information from others who truly understand their situation, offering a broader community of support and encouragement.

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Supporting a loved one after a stroke is a profound commitment that goes beyond attending appointments and managing medications. It’s about enriching their life with joy, understanding, and resilience. Each strategy discussed here offers a unique way to nurture their journey to recovery. Embrace these approaches with compassion and creativity, and watch as your loved one finds new strength and happiness each day.

Months After a Serious Stroke, He Was Back to Drawing Caricatures

 

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United Stroke Alliance YouTube Channel Link

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 By Diane Daniel, American Heart Association News  

Artist Adam English had just turned 50 when he woke up one morning having a stroke. (Photo courtesy of Adam English)

A loud ringing and bright light jolted Adam English awake. Then he felt the bizarre sensation of a zipper closing from ear to ear across his face.

English tried to call out, but he could only make sounds.

Then he tried getting out of bed. He fell, hitting his head on the iron bed frame.

His wife, Joanne Pera, was in the bathroom around the corner. A high school English teacher, she was running late for work when she heard what sounded like a scream. Then a thud.

She walked into the hallway and found English crawling toward her. He looked at her but couldn't talk.

This is what a stroke must look like, she thought. But she also thought strokes happen to the elderly; English had just turned 50.

Pera called 911.

As the ambulance was in transit, the dispatcher took Pera through a list of questions to relay to her husband.

"Can you smile?"

English smiled.

"Can you stick out your tongue?"

He could.

"But he still can't speak to me," Pera told the dispatcher.

The ambulance was there within minutes to take English to the hospital, which is less than a quarter-mile from their home in Tonawanda, New York, outside of Buffalo.

Doctors quickly determined English was having a stroke. A clot obstructed blood flow in his cerebellum and brain stem. The cerebellum plays a major role in motor movement and balance.

Within 15 minutes of Pera finding him, English was being given intravenous clot-busting medication.

English was then transferred to a more specialized hospital. There, doctors performed a thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure to remove clots. By the time the clot-grabbing tool reached the area, the clot had already dissolved.

Still, despite the speedy treatment, doctors warned Pera that her husband might have permanent physical and cognitive damage.

Walking into his room, she braced herself for the worst.

Seeing her, English smiled.

"Are you there, Adam?" Pera asked.

"I'm still here," he said. "I'm still Adam."

Adam English (right) with his wife, Joanne Pera. (Photo courtesy of John Parascak)

While he could talk and process information, his speech was severely slurred. He couldn't walk and his vision was impacted. His eyelid muscles also didn't work properly. His eyes would stay closed unless they were secured in an open position with tape. (Surgery later repaired them.)

"Most of your recovery will be in the first six months," the doctor said. "After that, you might get better, but you can't expect much more healing."

When he began in-patient rehabilitation, English – who has been paid to draw caricatures since he was a teenager – asked to make art. Nurses set up his travel easel in the occupational therapy room and he worked on sketches every day.

"Everyone there loved me because I sketched them all about 18 times," he said.

His drawing improved by the day, but English – who'd also been a musician before the stroke – could no longer play guitar or piano.

In seeking a cause for the stroke, doctors found that English had a common congenital heart defect, a hole between the upper chambers of his heart. Known as a patent foramen ovale, it exists in everyone before birth, but usually closes naturally shortly after being born. The hole may have allowed a clot to travel to his brain. He later underwent a procedure to close the hole.

Adam English recovering at home after his stroke. (Photo courtesy of Adam English)

English went home in mid-March in 2020 – just as the world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. He arrived home in a wheelchair, but soon switched to a cane indoors and a walker outdoors.

He received in-home physical therapy and did exercises on his own every day. The pandemic forced Pera to move her classes online, so she was home to assist him.

By the summer, English was back at work at Buffalo's waterfront drawing caricatures.

"My sketches actually look extremely similar to the way they did before the stroke," he said.

Talking to customers was challenging because he would slur certain words to the point that he sounded intoxicated. He had to deal with people complaining to management that he had been drinking.

"I ended up making a couple little signs that said, 'Stroke survivor, please excuse any slurred speech.'"

Because of his impaired vision, English couldn't drive for about a year after the stroke. It improved with the use of prism glasses, therapy and a series of surgeries on his eyes.

English was especially grateful for his speech pathologist, Amy Olsen, because they shared a love of music. (She's the musical director at her church.) By singing together, as well as talking, he regained much of his articulation.

He improved so much that 18 months after his stroke, English performed with his barbershop quartet when it opened for 1950s star Bobby Rydell in Buffalo. Olsen attended the concert.

"That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and having Amy there made it feel like a personal triumph," English said.

Pera, family and friends were also in the audience, cheering him on and crying.

"He nailed it, and he's only gotten better from there," Pera said. "I'm so amazed at Adam's bravery for getting back out there, both on the stage and at work."

Adam English performing in his barbershop quartet in 2022. (Photo courtesy of John Parascak)

English continues to face some challenges with walking, balance and speech, but he also keeps slowly improving.

"My can-do wife would not allow me to do anything but," he said. "Joanne's relentless positivity is the No. 1 thing that allowed me to keep going and get through this."

Stories From the Heart chronicles the inspiring journeys of heart disease and stroke survivors, caregivers and advocates.

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American Heart Association News Stories

American Heart Association News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in American Heart Association News stories reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in American Heart Association scientific journals or presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the American Heart Association’s official guidance, policies or positions.

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HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.

 

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Stroke Support Group Finder Link

United Stroke Alliance YouTube Channel Link

Stroke Camp Shop

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            Image by Freepik

by Andrea Needham (https://www.eldersday.org)

New Ways to Build a Stronger Foundation for Your Retirement

Written by Andrea Needham

and submitted for pubication

all rights reserved

Traditional safety nets for retirement may no longer guarantee financial or healthcare security, making it vital to adopt fresh approaches. Retirement planning now requires a forward-thinking mindset to create stability and adaptability. Exploring diverse investments, expanding knowledge, and considering options beyond familiar borders can pave the way to a more secure future. Such efforts foster both independence and confidence, ensuring you’re prepared for unexpected challenges. Planning thoughtfully today sets the foundation for a fulfilling and worry-free tomorrow.

Building a Resilient Financial Future

with Alternative Investments 

Building a secure financial future requires diversifying beyond traditional government programs like Social Security or Medicare. Alternative investments such as private equity, commodities, and cryptocurrencies provide opportunities for growth while spreading risk. Private equity often offers steady returns even during market shifts, appealing to those seeking stability. Commodities like gold and oil can protect against inflation, preserving value over time. Cryptocurrencies, despite their volatility, present promising avenues for investors looking to engage in the expanding digital economy.

Creating Passive Income Streams 

Creating a passive income strategy can be a powerful way to secure your financial future, especially as you approach retirement. By investing time and resources upfront, you can establish income streams that require minimal ongoing effort. For example, owning rental properties or investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) allows your money to work for you, providing a steady cash flow while you focus on other pursuits. Additionally, earning royalties from creative works or dividends from stock investments can diversify your income sources, reducing reliance on traditional retirement funds.

Secure Your Future with Advanced Education 

Continuing education can be a game-changer for your career, offering opportunities to enhance your skills and earning potential. For instance, earning a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree allows you to deepen your healthcare knowledge while developing essential leadership expertise. Online degree programs are particularly beneficial, as they enable you to balance full-time work with your studies. By exploring the curriculum of online MHA programs, you can identify courses that align with your career goals, such as healthcare policy, financial management, and strategic planning.

Design a Financial Safety Net with Royalties 

Royalties from intellectual property offer a dependable income stream that operates outside traditional financial systems. Licensing creative works, such as books, music, or software, allows you to earn revenue from their use over time. This process rewards innovation while encouraging ongoing collaboration with businesses seeking new opportunities. Understanding the tax impact of royalties is vital to optimize financial planning and maintain stability. When managed effectively, royalties can provide a financial cushion that supports your needs in later years.

Enhance Your Retirement

with a Health Savings Account 

Leveraging a Health Savings Account (HSA) can be a strategic way to manage healthcare expenses in retirement, offering a unique triple tax advantage: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. By maximizing your HSA contributions, you can build a robust fund to cover future healthcare costs, potentially reducing your reliance on Social Security or Medicare. It’s wise to maintain a portion of your HSA in cash for immediate needs while investing the remainder for long-term growth. Collaborating with a financial advisor can help you develop an investment strategy that aligns with your retirement goals.

Finding Your Ideal Retirement Destination 

Retiring abroad can provide an affordable lifestyle combined with access to quality healthcare. Some destinations are known for modern medical services and private insurance plans that are budget-friendly. Certain countries offer residency programs that cater to retirees with modest pension incomes. Proximity to home can make it easier to stay connected with family while enjoying a new environment. Exploring these options can help you design a retirement plan that balances financial stability with a vibrant lifestyle.

Integrating Long-Term Care Insurance

into Your Retirement Plan 

Long-term care insurance can help manage rising healthcare costs as you age by covering extended care expenses. Despite high premiums, particularly for women, modern policies have become more affordable and stable. This type of insurance can complement government programs, offering broader care options and increased flexibility. Exploring hybrid policies or comparing providers allows you to tailor coverage to your financial plans. Self-funding alternatives, such as using home equity or establishing a dedicated fund, can also offer additional ways to manage future care needs.


Adopting varied strategies allows you to build a retirement plan that is adaptable and well-rounded. Proactive decisions now can lead to a financially stable future with greater freedom and flexibility. A tailored approach ensures you are not solely reliant on conventional government programs. This creates room for personal growth and new opportunities in later years. Thoughtful planning today shapes a secure retirement

Discover how Stroke Camp can help you and your loved ones embrace life after a stroke with empowering resources, inspiring stories, and unique support experiences.