Customer Reviews

Living With Stroke: A Guide for Families

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As a stroke survivor, I can honestly say that this is the one to own. It explains your stroke to both you and your family in laymen's terms, yet never speaks down to you or leaves you feeling hopeless. A must for the stroke survivor and his/her family.

Recently, my 31 year old, pregnant sister had an emergency c-section and then had complications that resulted in her suffering TWO strokes. Doctors would not tell us anything, no one could even tell us what they thought would happen with her. Luckily I found this book. This is a primer for strokes -- it gives everything from a lesson on how the brain works to how a rehabilitation program is put together, to how to cope emotionally as a caregiver. It is a quick read, chock full of substantial information, clear and well-written. You don't have to read straight through: it is well indexed and has a clear table of contents so you can get to the information you need most quickly. The most valuable part of the book is the glossary of terms that helps you navigate the medical-speak you are going to hear. Start with this book and you'll be equipped with solid information and understanding. This book was a godsend in a time of crisis.

Make sure to get the newer (2001) version of this text. Amazon will be more than happy to send you a "new" earlier edition (1999) if you aren't careful. Unfortunately, the 1999 cover of "Living with Stroke" is of very low contrast, and thus difficult to read. So, older folks or people with low vision may be a bit put off by the cover. (But don't let this scare you away. The text within is large and readable.) The newer version may very well contain more up-to-date info.

In response to a family emergency, I ordered four books on stoke recovery. Two had been recommended to me as being helpful for lay people: (1) "Living With Stroke: A Guide For Families" (Senelick, Rossi & Dougherty, 1999) and (2) "Stoke and the Family: A New Guide" (Stein, 2004). I ordered these for my family members (and myself). Two more were written at a much more scholarly, technical level for clinicans: (3) "Recovery after Stroke" (Barnes, Dobkin, & Bogousslavsky, Eds, 2005), and (4) "Stroke Rehabilitation: A Function-Based Approach" (Gillen & Burkhardt, Eds, 2004).

Each of these books has much to recommend it. I hope to write reviews of all four later. I can see why the first two are standouts, and have been helpful to so many people. They are well-written, concise books with plenty of important information. They will help you quickly become an educated consumer of medical care. (They won't always familiarize you with medical controversies and choices, but they do a remarkable job of capturing the key issues. Controversies include the use of anti-seizure meds, and the use of statins for cholesterol reduction, especially in women.).

This book describes the various physical manifestation of stroke (e.g., left vs right hemisphere), types of stroke (e.g., thrombotic, embolic, hemorrhagic, lacunar), diagnosis, pharmacological treatments, risk factors, and the basic rehabilitation spectrum--from physical therapy and activities of daily living to impact of stroke on daily life. The book offers creative ideas for navigating each of the key components. I especially liked the fact that the book does a nice job of covering psychological issues. I'm not talking about old-school psychoanalysis here. I'm talking about things like behavioral, cognitive, and family systems approaches to psychological health. There are plenty of tools provided for dealing with cognitive distortion, pessimism, etc. The book is concerned with the health of the patient AND the health of family and friends.

I believe that many people will be able to complete the book in a night or two. That's important when time is of the essence and you are trying to educate yourself quickly.

If you are a family member and or a caretaker: This is the book to bring with you to the hospital waiting room. You are likely to be waiting for long periods between visits with doctors and nurses, and you'll have many questions. You'll learn much more detailed general information from this book than the 10 minutes you spend consulting with the doc. What this book doesn't explain is how to deal with hospital staff who are busy and not always concerned with communicating with family members. But it provides plenty more. You can use this book to educate other family members and friends who might not be as thorough and bookish as you, and win them over to a sensible and realistic agenda.

If you are a professional, you may find this book helpful, for a variety of reasons. First off, you might consider recommending this book, or the book by Stein, to your patients. Moreover, you might use the language in these books to explain situations and decisions to patients and their families. The authors have taken care to discuss emotionally and cognitively complex material in a sensible and clear manner.

this book has been fantastic for helping families and other caregivers of individuals who have suffered a stroke! this book hadn't been written back when my own father suffered his strokes. i really wish that it had been - it would have been of immense help to my own family. now, i am fortunate to be able to recommend it and lend it to families, who all find it to be well written, easy to read and understand, and full of helpful and practical advice in dealing with our loved one, protecting them, and helping us to communicate more clearly and cope more effectively. an excellent contribution to the field!

A few years ago, my father had a stroke that left him (at the time) unable to speak or to move the right side of his body. Thankfully, he is much better now. The rehabilitation hospital he was at (HealthSouth) gave this book to our family to help us understand what he was going through. This book has been read cover to cover by many of my family members. It helps you understand so much that you just would not have known without this guide. I purchased this book for a friend whose close relative had a massive stroke. She said the book also helped her to understand what he was going through. This book is a major help to you at a time when you feel like your world is upside down. I would definitely recommend this book!!!

I bought this book while my husband was still in the hospital after having a stroke. I could not put the book down, as it was so informative.
It helped me understand why, how and what next to do for him.

As a stroke survivor with a medical background, I can understand most technical texts, but this book gives such an excellent explanation of the physical functions of the brain and the symptoms of stroke, by using analogies of everyday experiences and items. REALLY helpful for anyone who's had a stroke or a family member that has. Highly recommended!