Struck By A Stroke

Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com
Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving

Listen to an overview of one of Jacqueline’s seminars:
http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/wsradio/elder/121705/segment4.asx

WELCOME BACK ALL MY CAREGIVERS—Tell us your story!
I have been in the San Francisco Bay Area this week seeing my dear "second mom", Norma, who has been struck down by a paralyzing stroke. If you have read my book, you know about her and her daughter, Linda, my best friend since we were five, and her grand-daughter, Kathleen.

Linda had chatted with her mother by phone one morning, but when she called two days later and Norma didn't return her call, she had her cousin (who lives close by) drive by to see if her car was in the driveway. When he reported that it was, yet she didn't answer the door, they called the fire department who broke in to find Norma on the floor of her bedroom, where she had been laying in her own waste for two and a half days.

Linda had visited and checked on her 75-year old mother quite often, but independent Norma said she felt invaded by the numerous calls. She had worked for 38 years, taken care of her husband until his death a decade ago, and taken care of herself and her own home very well her whole adult life, thank you. She even went to the gym three days a week, had her own groups of friends, and didn't see the need to be checked on "like a child."

Now, how Linda wishes she had insisted on checking in on her mother everyday, and insisted further that Norma wear the medic alert necklace they had recently discussed getting. Instead, Linda has had to take an early retirement from her teaching career in order to be able to help her mother.

Unfortunately, since Norma didn't receive help immediately, her prognosis for recovery is doubtful--and since she is not improving and has plateaued, the insurance has stopped paying for her physical therapy. Linda and Kathleen have committed to doing it, of course, hoping she will recover and be able to come home.

Seeing the always-vivacious Norma leaning in her wheelchair, unable to walk or move the left side of her body, and talking without an attention span--has been a heart-breaking experience. I hope that by reading about this tragedy, you will be encouraged to have your elderly loved ones checked on by someone daily, and that you will insist they get an Emergency Response System sooner than later.

Jacqueline Marcell
Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com
Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving

Tell us your story!