Resources - Books

[paulinek]

The best book I've read following a stroke is - The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge, M.D.

My sisters and I all have a copy as it is worth it. We had no power to change any of our mother's care as we didn't have power of attorney. We were still able to get a positive approach to what needed to be done to help mum gain back as much as possible mentally. Our mum had a dinner plate sized stroke - apparently that's very bad - and they said she would have no quality of life. The book gave us hope and some tools to help improve her mental capacity which will never be 100% because of the damage done.

If you are interested in rehabilitation, this is a tremendously good book and we really recommend it.

[paulinek]

I should have told you in last post - she can do the crossword, has learned two new languages, listens to CD books, has a great sense of humour, can tell a good story and all in all, she's pretty amazing having such a devastating stroke. She can remember anything you said a week ago that you might do or bring in for her. Yes, she gets very weepy at times but then we bring in the Bach Flower remedies - Emergency essence, calm and clear, dynamis (to find the joy again) and it settles. Cognis (for helping the left and right brain function more effectively) I was sceptical too but it was worth a try and it has certainly helped. We tried the mirror box therapy but just could not devote the time it needed and is more beneficial if there is some movement left in the arm or the hand.

I don't feel bad about smuggling the flower remedies in as Elder Rights said mum's room was like her own home and mum was always interested in alternative medicine. Not sure the nursing home would be as keen but if we had waited on them to improve her situation, we might as well have given up on day one. The hardest thing to keep up is hope. Without hope, the battle is over.

[paulinek]

One good thing the Guardian told us was that they could organise for extra nursing care or companionship for mum. They said the service cost $33.00 per hour and they must be able to get the nurse or carer to come in and provide additional care such as reading and companionship. Would be worth looking into as I didn't know this service was available and always thought it would be a good business to establish as it would help greatly. This is also probably better than getting a nursing home with "extras" as there are no extras.

This is the link for Silver Circle Care:

http://www.silvercircle.com.au/victoria

[industrystandard]

Any nursing agency will provide that sort of service. It's worth shopping around as prices differ. The carers I have had contact with in this circumstance have always been excellent and used to working within a facility which isn't 'their own'.

[paulinek]

Am reading - The Warmth of the Heart prevents your Body from Rusting - Ageing without growing old - Marie de Hennezel.

From back cover - Art of growing old - recalls encounters within her clinical practice with those who grow old gracefully - and through her experience shows us how to make the most of this time in our lives, how to avoid depressions, and how to stay happy. Will keep you posted if I find anything helpful in it!