1. Caregiver Perspective - Marianne Scheiler & Rick Griffith
2. What Is A Caregiver - Kathi Naumann
1. Caregiver Perspective
"Faces of Stroke" Caregiver Perspective
Published on May 19, 2013Speech given by Marianne Scheiler on May 17, 2013, at the "Faces of Stroke" Community Event, hosted by Enloe Medical Center, during National Stroke Month. She shares her moving and emotional story as a caregiver for her stroke survivor, John-Michael Moreno.
Standard YouTube License @ Becki Brunelli
Sole vs. Soul Caregiver Rick Griffith for Stroke Survivor Teacher Isabel Leyva
Uploaded on Jan 9, 2011SSTattler: There is approximate 40+/- YouTubes Caring For Miss Leyva-Griffith.
Why do I do it? In addition to I want to do it, I don't want to regret not doing it at the end. In sickness and in health", good line. As a sole caregiver for someone who is not easy to please I am cognizant of the pitfalls of co-dependency. By no means do I do everything for my wife as she struggles to recover from a major stroke at age 44 on September 1, 2007. She's a fighter, that's for sure. She made her escape from Cuba in 1991 in a small inflatable life raft; she was one of five adults in that tiny craft. Fives days and nights in rough seas with sharks constantly present, the U.S. Coast Guard picked them up half way between Florida and Cuba. She sought and was granted political asylum and became a Naturalized U.S. Citizen. Miss Leyva started her life in "the land of the free" in Las Vegas. This highly intelligent, well educated 29-year-old woman first made a living cleaning toilets at Caesar's Palace Hotel. When her collge transcripts were finally obtained and verified she became a teacher. Fluent in Russian, she was a perfect fit to teach Russian in the Clark County, Nevada School District. A major stroke at age 44 tried to leave her in a wheel chair; she refused: today she can walk. It tried to silence her: now she can speak roughly. Starving one half of her left hemisphere of oxygen, it tried to divorce her from her beloved novels in English, Spanish, and Russian: Her major language center is gone yet, she's cracking the reading code ever so slowly. She has been an out-patient at Scripps Memorial Hospital Stroke Recovery Center in Encinitas, California, since 2007. The stroke hit like a sunami on September 1, 2007; she was only 44. It happened at home following the first week of school at Oceanside High School where she taught Spanish since 1999.
She struggles to speak. Nothing at first, vast improvement to date and always building. Husband Rick Griffith is the sole caregiver. Since Isabel's stroke left her unable to speak, write, or read, communication is very difficult. We are a family with a mom and a dad, four lovable little doggies (three are adopted), two adopted kitties, two birds, and a pond full of goldfish.
Isabel and husband Richard celebrated their second wedding anniversary while Isabel was in the hospital following her stroke. Rick is a former TV news reporter whose new career is that of sole caregiver. He's a Contributing Writer for The Stroke Network.org. When he can find someone to sit with Isabel he works as a free-lance cameraman and on camera spokesman, as well as writing, editing, and voice-over work from home when possible.
Isabel and Richard live in Oceanside, California, San Diego County, California, U.S.A.
Now living on California State Teachers Disability Retirement life is challenging to say the least. Richard created a Video Blog hoping to attract a corporate sponsor. At this writing, New York based ModestNeeds.org and PetMeds.com are sponsoring Miss Leyva.
Standard YouTube License @ Caring For Miss Leyva-Griffith
Tampon Shopping for Dummies
Published on Mar 30, 2012by Caregiver Rick Griffith.
SSTattler: A man shopping for tampons, at least, was embarrassment but a Caregiver is trivial - put it in the shopping list, hardly break-a-sweat...
Caregiver Rick Griffith explains easy way to pick correct tampons for wife. Oceanside high school teacher Isabel Leyva is recovering well from a major stroke at age 44
Standard YouTube License @ Caring For Miss Leyva-Griffith
2. What Is A Caregiver
SSTattler: Commercial stuff so be careful but the videos are excellent ...
What Is A Caregiver: After A Stroke You Are The Care Giver
Published on Jun 7, 2013What Is A Caregiver: After A Stroke. You Are The Care Giver, www.strokeandsupport.com, you are suddenly thrust into the role of Care Giver.
- What do you do now?
- Have you been put in the position of being a caregiver for a loved one that just had a stroke?.
- It's quite possible an emotional tidal wave has rolled over you. You're probably scared, sad or worried, aren't you?
- Where in the world are you going to find support to overcome this life-threatening event? What happens if you're in need for treatment for stroke?
- Chances are you've never experienced this problem before and it can be overwhelming to suddenly have to be the one in charge for a tragedy you know too little of.
- There is plenty of information on the Internet for stroke recovery, but very little for you, the care taker.
Don't wait, go ahead and click on that link now!
Website URL: http://www.strokeandsupport.com
Standard YouTube License @ Kathi Naumann
Stroke Support & Survival Guide Program Page
Published on Jul 17, 2013Standard YouTube License @ Kathi Naumann
Stroke Support & Survival Guide Monthly Membership
Published on Jul 18, 2013Standard YouTube License @ Kathi Naumann
Where to Start After a Stroke: What Every Caregiver Needs to Know to be Successful
Published on Jul 24, 2013Knowing where to start after someone has had a stroke is a vital part of the recovery process. Learn what every caregiver needs to know to be successful.
Standard YouTube License @ Kathi Naumann
Ways to Get Healthy While Exposed to so Many Germs and Viruses
Published on Jul 24, 2013Practice simple but effective techniques that teach you how to stay healthy. In this video tip you are going to learn easy, simple techniques that will help you avoid the flu aka influenza it will ensure that you take care of yourself during a time when you are overly exposed to so many germs taking care of the stroke patient.
These techniques teach you what to do to get healthy when surrounded by germs and virus'. It is important to remember that this stroke did not just affect the patient in stoke recovery but it also affected you, the person who is now thrust into the role as a caregiver.
Here are a few interesting statistics about stroke care and health:
Stress has three main direct effects on the human body. It affects our digestive system, it increases our heart rate and it releases a hormone called corticosteroid. All three of these reactions to stress causes an imbalance and suppresses our immune systems.When scientists researched stress they found that the digestive system and the immune system work together. When the body is properly nourished not only does your immune system gets stronger: it actually begins to heal itself leaving you stronger and with a greater ability to handle stress.
So, what do you? Here are four action steps you need do right now to ward off serious illness, and stay clear minded when it matters most.
First, buy yourself a week's supply of 1.5 liter bottles of pure water. I personally like Fiji water because it contains silica which is a natural mineral that helps to maintain moisture. I tend to have dry skin. The 1.5 liter bottle is just the right size for daily consumption.
Secondly, Make your way to the produce section of the grocery store and purchase 7 apples. Organic is the best option and has the most nutrition. Always buy the best quality you can afford and remember to wash the apple before you eat it.
Thirdly, park your car at the farthest parking spot from the door. This will force you to gain access to more fresh air and more activity. Being near hospital bed can be debilitating for anyone.
Lastly, breathe deeply thru your nose and exhale thru your mouth when you walk from your car to the medical institution. Stress causes our bodies to become very acidic and breathing helps to balance us out.
Ok, so to stay as healthy as you can be drink water, eat at least one apple a day, get some fresh air and breathe deeply thru your nose. These little steps will add up to big results.
Standard YouTube License @ Kathi Naumann
Stroke & Support for Caregivers how to Increase Energy & a Friction Free Environment
Published on Jul 24, 2013Learn ways to avoid caregiver fatigue. Understand How to decrease anxiety using simple self help techniques. In this video tip you'll learn simple techniques that create a friction free environment after stroke where people feel free to offer their help and you feel comfortable accepting it. Managing help will avoid caregiver burn out.
The first step in decreasing anxiety and creating a friction free environment is by finding accomplishment in your life. Things that are incomplete rob us of our energy and increase our anxiety. An example of something that is incomplete could be a conflict with a friend that you haven't spoken to in a while or something as simple as returning a pair of shoes.
Feelings of failure in our lives leads to denial. Quickly we learn not to think about it and sometimes say, - Oh, I'll get to that later aka procrastination.
When we are faced with an uncertain tragedy in our lives we are left feeling confused and even lonely and sometimes find ourselves feeling emotions of avoidance.
Unfortunately, we can't avoid this situation but we can learn to balance the stress and recovery by using self help techniques. Tony Swartz wrote in his book the power of full engagement.... It's all about managing energy, not time for maximum performance.
You must perform at the top of your game to manage anyone's care.
Within this framework of managing our skills you will learn how to get the most out of your time. It's simple yet very powerful and effective.
Now pause this video so you can grab a piece of paper and a pen.
Ok, now pause again and make a list of all the things that are incomplete in your life and put a star next to the ones that are really bothering you.
Ok, so hopefully you have a nice list compiled --
The ones that have the star are ones that you want to concentrate on first. You need to fix them or let them go.
Standard YouTube License @ Kathi Naumann
Stroke Guide how Much Time Does It Take to Recover from a Stroke?
Published on Jul 24, 2013Learn Techniques used in physical therapy that speed up the recovery process after stroke. Recovering from a stroke is a process -- know what to do and get real results in less time.
Ok - so whether you are new to this caregiver thing or you have been doing it for awhile, you are probably starting to realize that there are strict time limit on the amount of therapy your loved one gets when recovering from a stroke. You will learn how to speed up stroke recovery time and how to apply these techniques during every visit to get immediate results.
No two strokes are alike. A stroke is like a finger print and no two are the same. But the one thing must be the same is this --
Everything we do as a caregiver must have a goal to promote independence attached to it. What I mean is that the end result must be one that the stroke survivor eventually learns to do the task on their own.
Here are a few techniques to help speed up the recovery processes, promote independence and set goals.
First, always approach your stroke survivor on the affected side. If your loved one is showing signs of not looking to the left, we must facilitate that movement. Always approach them on the left and make sure they are looking at you when they are speaking.
Second, help them with their oral hygiene. If you have to -- brush the teeth for them. Ask for sponge swabs if using a toothbrush is not an option. This might sound like a crazy tip but you must remember -- if bacteria enters the digestive system it could hinder the recovery process. The body and brain are trying to heal and we as caregivers must help that process along.
Third, keep their minds engaged. Ask them an answer to crossword puzzels help you solve a crossword puzzle or have them play a simple card game or board game. Playing games is an excellent way to help the brain with word find problems and sequencing of events. It helps the brain to learn what comes next.
If you follow these simple techniques, you will see results, the therapists will see results and as long as your loved one makes progress, they will be able to continue with their therapy.
Standard YouTube License @ Kathi Naumann
Stroke and Support How to Pay Bills
Published on Jul 24, 2013Learn how to find help around bill paying and avoid medical Bankruptsies. In this video tip you are going to learn three ways to pay bills that have accrued from any medical institution.
An interesting quote by the lead author, Steffie Woolhandler of Harvard Medical School reads, "unless you're warren buffet or bill gates, you're one illness away from financial ruin in this country." She also concludes that 62.1% of all bankruptcies are medical bankruptsies.
I'm not telling you this to freak you out and add more stress to your already stressful situation. I'm telling you this because at the end of the day: creditors will get some money with negotiations or they will get nothing with a bankruptcy. Most of the time a creditor will negotiate.
Follow these techniques with every medical bill you receive. It is not uncommon practice for your insurance company and Medicare to be billed for the same procedure.
First, go over the bill with a fine tooth comb. Make certain that you know what you are paying for. There could be a huge mistake that you have been wrongly billed for.
Secondly, negotiate and come to a payment agreement. Do not agree to something you cannot afford and make good on your promise. If you agreed to send in regular monthly payments, get those payments in on time each and every month. This helps avoid interest accrual on your bills and being sent to a collections agency.
Thirdly, it is a good idea to talk to the medical institution before you even get your first bill. Let them know what you can afford. Tell them if you have a huge deductible on your insurance policy. Many hospitals offer grants or financial assistance. Don't be too proud to talk to them and make sure you are honest.
Fourth, if you are a member of a church -- reach out to them -- many churches use their collection funds for charity events to help those who are sick and in need of money for treatment. It is respectful to write a letter rather than calling the church office.
Huge medical bills are overwhelming, be pro-active, honest and upfront so that the medical bills do not sky rocket. If an institution knows that you are paying attention they will also pay attention.
Here's what to do right now to make sure your medical bills stay under control. Review and negotiate all medical bills, communicate openly with the billing department and inquire about medical grants and good neighbor funds.
Standard YouTube License @ Kathi Naumann
About Stroke How Can I Speak English Clearly With a Doctor
Published on Jul 24, 2013Learn proper communication techniques How to Speak in English clearly and to the point when communicating to a Doctor.
It's hard to catch a glimpse of a Dr. these days and even harder to get them to answer any questions. In this stroke survival guide video you will learn tips on speaking clearly and precisely with a Dr.
Communicating well with a physician is a vital part of your care giving journey and we must make sure that there is no miscommunication.
By using these techniques you will learn to eliminate misunderstanding and bring clarity your message. This avoids documentations mistakes, which could lead to disaster later. It will give the Dr. a clearer understanding so that he can make informed decisions about your loved one.
Every 45 seconds someone has a stroke in the United States. Of those 700,000 people per year 71% of them are first occurrences. And just like anything else unless it's happened to you before, you will not know the first thing about strokes or what questions to ask. Here are a few important things to keep in mind when talking with a doctor or any medical staff.
First, don't be defensive. Most negative posturing is a reflection of fear. Kindness soothes and it is only natural that a Dr. will stay longer if the atmosphere in the room is pleasant.
Next, be open and honest and ask the Dr. to repeat anything that you don't understand. Tell them that you are writing down the answer because you are overwhelmed and you are afraid that you might forget something. This will ease the Dr.'s mind too.
And, be prepared. Use your notebook from your medical journal that you put together and write down any questions that you have. Leave a large space under the questions so you can write down, in essay style, the answer under each one.
Staying calm, being honest and writing things down will create peace in the environment that will keep the medical Dr. Coming back. Dr.'s are human and if is only natural to avoid negativity -- don't let that be you.
Standard YouTube License @ Kathi Naumann
Learn Simple Home Adaptations and Modifications to Return Home Safely After a Stroke
Published on Jul 24, 2013Learn what home adaptations you must do before your loved one returns home after a stroke.
Standard YouTube License @ Kathi Naumann
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