In just a few seconds - without warning - a stroke can shatter the life of its adult victim and radically affect the unsuspecting family. Confused, frightened, and completely unprepared, family members suddenly find themselves in the role of caregiver. What exactly happened? What to do? What to expect? Where to turn for help? How to cope? The questions come fast and furious but answers are hard to find. "After the Stroke" is the compelling account of Evelyn Shirk's courageous struggle to face these questions and to find her own answers as she accepted the challenge of caring for her husband, a victim of multiple strokes. At 61, Jay Shirk was a successful scholar with a bright and productive future - until he experienced a mild stroke, an 'ischemic attack'. During the next seventeen years, Evelyn, a professional scholar herself, faced the fear and uncertainty of never knowing when or if there would be another 'episode'. Her life became a roller-coaster ride of mixed emotions reaching new highs and lows as she and Jay began the hard, but rewarding, work of rehabilitation and recovery, only to see their progress dashed by the debilitating effects of subsequent strokes, further aggressive treatment, and eventual nursing home placement. "After the Stroke" chronicles the twists and turns of a white-knuckle ride that tested Evelyn's endurance, patience, and ingenuity as she faced tough choices and overcame the challenges of caring for a spouse whose helplessness increased with each new attack. Hers is a frank, yet uplifting account, a testament to the courage and determination of patients and caregivers who struggle each day to maintain dignity and quality of life.

Health care in the USA now finds itself where psychiatry historically has been from its inception; namely, paradigmatically all over the place. Technology, increased scientific knowledge and capitalism amongst other things has transformed modern medicine, probably irretrievably, into a consumer product item; no more no less. This brings obvious yet major problems to those who feel passionately that health benefits are an inalienable right to all members of an advanced civilization. But what benefits? Interestingly enough, this politically charged idea has found near full form in the US in a somewhat arcane sub-set of our society, the Veterans Administration. This huge social experiment extending backwards for well over a half century now begs to be framed, placed in better context and researched to see what parts of this experiment in socialized medicine are worth keeping, what parts should be viewed as exorbitant, suspect or moreover transformed and even dismantled. Dr. Esquibel's searching "novella" is a must read to all those who would genuinely like to see society more effectively ponder the wildly fluctuating supercharged dilemma that is health care, psychiatry underscored. Richly insightful and at times provocative-well worth the investment of time and coin.

There is something extraordinarily special about sliding on snow that has excited generations of snow sports enthusiasts. Add to this the dimension of travelling through the mountains and the result is a recipe for some of the best outdoor activity days you could ever imagine. I have been fortunate to share some of these adventures with Henry Branigan: Skiing off the summit of Mount Blanc at dawn or, equally enjoyable, skiing under the northern lights from hut to hut in Norway, still my all-time favourite way of travelling through the mountains. A complete guide to alpine ski touring, ski mountaineering and nordic ski touring sets out to provide the fundamentals about going off piste and then journeying through mountain terrain, in a logical, easy to read format. Adapting ski technique for various off piste conditions is an essential skill that makes all the difference between surviving and savouring adventures off piste. The book also covers the fundamental mountaineering knowledge including navigation, weather and avalanches that are essential before venturing beyond the confines of a ski area. Equipment and planning a tour are covered, whether it is in an Alpine or Nordic environment. All in all this is a very comprehensive and valuable resource for anyone aspiring to venture into the mountains on skis. Bob Kinnaird Principal Glenmore Lodge National Outdoor Training Centre

America urgently needs innovative housing and care solutions for our growing population of older persons. For those who do not require or cannot afford costly, full-time nursing care, yet find it increasingly difficult to live alone, board and care residential facilities may be the most practical and attractive alternative. What are board and care homes, and how do they operate? How are they managed and regulated? How can older persons, caregivers, and family members decide which are the best facilities?"Between Home and Nursing Home" suggests what to look for when choosing a facility, how to monitor the care offered, and the kinds of supervision and services that should be available. For residents and caregivers alike, the authors offer valuable suggestions and illustrate activities that contribute to total mental and physical well-being. This book includes valuable appendices that feature important facts about retirement facilities and tips on how to evaluate a residential care facility. Families and professionals will find this book to be a valuable guide to one of the fastest-growing housing and health care options available to the aged.

When barefoot running guru Christopher McDougall takes in a neglected donkey, his aim is to get Sherman back to reasonable health. But Sherman is ill-tempered, obstinate and uncooperative - and it's clear his poor treatment has made him deeply fearful of humans. Christopher knows that donkeys need a purpose - they are working, pack animals - and so when he learns of the sport of Burro Racing or running with donkeys, he sets out to give Sherman something worth living for. With the aid of Christopher's menagerie on his farm in rural Pennsylvania, his wife Mika and their friends and neighbours including the local Amish population, Sherman begins to build trust in Christopher. To give him a purpose, they start to run together. But what Sherman gains in confidence and meaning is something we all need: a connection with nature, the outdoors, with movement. And as Christopher learns, the side benefits of exercise and animal contact are surprising, helping with mental and physical health in unexpected ways.

"This book gives plenty of information and ideas but more than that, it gives the reader hope. The hope that can lead to an honest reappraisal of our own experiences, and the confidence to be the person we most want to be. Who would benefit from this book? Anyone who wants to make the most of their life, and learn about living " -Dr Mary Connor Author and Consultant in Coaching and Counselling. "This is a book that doesn't pull its punches, which speaks honestly and directly about the challenges of life, offering advice from the author's own experience and from the world's wisdom. Dip into when you need to face up to harsh realities, when you need to hear a wise and friendly voice, when you need reminding that you are valuable and worthwhile." -Susan Quilliam - Author of 21 books on relationship psychology, National Press journalist and broadcaster. "Although many of us can ask friends for advice, most of those friends will be unwilling to give advice which may be seen as insensitive or uncaring but which may be very much required. This book does what a really good friend should be able to do, that is give honest advice in a world that is not always fair or kind." -Dr Niamh Leonard Consultant Histopathologist, St James Hospital, Dublin Michael Wash gives simple, practical and powerful lessons on the importance of choice and responsibility. His book guides you through stressful times with practical suggestions and reveals ways to make your actions more peaceful and caring. "54 Simple Truths" could save you a lot of grief. It may even save your life. -Niki Collins-Queen, Licensed Professional Counsellor

New treatments and advances in therapy for the ravages of Parkinson's disease are constantly being researched and perfected for patients, yet those afflicted still must endure tremors, poor balance, speech problems, and lessened psychological well-being. Patients and families need the most up-to-date information available to improve quality of care and life.
This new, second edition of Caring for the Parkinson Patient covers a variety of topics, providing information and helpful suggestions for patients, families, and caregivers to aid them as they grapple with this chronic, debilitating neurological disorder. Sixteen accessible and information-packed essays by noted contributors address diagnosis and treatment, new research, communication, physical/ occupational therapy, nursing care, problems faced by the caregiver, emotional changes, "neurorehab," prevention of falls, sleep problems, surgery, community supports, the family, sexuality, and safe home environments.
With a wealth of information, practical advice, and encouragement, Caring for the Parkinson Patient is an indispensable resource guide for all those touched by Parkinson's disease.

This book was initially intended to nurse Trish's son back to health and keep her other children free from the same type of illness (illness caused by food additives and chemicals). It was also intended as a handy tool for her clients with food sensitivities. However, it has been discovered that eating on a rotation not only eliminates current food issues, but prevents future food issues as well. Eating on a rotation can reduce inflammation and promote weight loss. A rotation diet can restore energy and promote overall health. This book not only defines the Rotation Diet but also offers tools and recipes for its success.

This is an anti-smoking book.

Based on a 'Blank-Book" concept, it delivers one clear message against smoking by succinctly putting the point across with no words needed.

A novel gift idea that one can give to their loved ones and friends to prod them to quit smoking.

Stressing the importance of communicating effectively, understanding the needs of older persons, and developing trust at all levels of service, this is a valuable sourcebook that places special emphasis on maintaining the integrity, independence, and individuality of older persons. Contributors include specialists in the fields of medicine, therapy, communication, psychology, environmental planning, activities planning, law, ethics, human sexuality, and death and dying. Questions for discussion and select bibliographies enhance this important collection.

Targeting the root cause of public discontent with the quality of care given by hospitals, nursing homes, mental institutions, and home health care agencies, Nancy Fox opens fire on those aspects of the system that waste time, money, and sometimes lives. For Ms. Fox, drastic changes are needed in American health care delivery. She urges that we humanise the system by putting the patient first, a conclusion she reached by researching institutions in over forty states, Canada, and China.

Brutally honest in its telling, readers will find themselves engrossed as Joe shares a penetrating insight into the possibilities of transformation, using his own life's painful trials and ultimate success as examples. Joe was an easygoing and sensitive "fat" kid who fell victim to merciless bullying. Humiliation turned to anger and towards a life of "looking out for number one." For most of his teens and early adulthood he became a self-absorbed cheater, drug abuser and alcoholic who cared only for himself and his pleasures. He learned that his abuses came at a high cost, losing his first professional job and unable to maintain any enduring relationship. Then, in 1982 he was critically injured in a car wreck, landing in a chronic pain clinic, barely able to move his body. Lying there in the hospital bed paralyzed by pain he had an epiphany that the key to happiness was not the self-oriented life he was living but on helping others. Slowly, he refocused his mind on healing his broken body, an effort that took almost seventeen years. He transformed himself from near-cripple to a Black Belt in martial arts, long distance bike rider and personal trainer. His transition was not complete, however. He was only able to repair his body because he was able to repair his mind. His thinking changed his physical life, and then went to work on the outside world. He started with fostering troubled gang members and over fourteen years he and his wife helped more than 100 children adolescent teens navigate through troubled upbringing. He then started to share the philosophy of his holistic, mind-based, life-changing system that transformed him from an "everyday Joe," into a happy, caring individual whoembraces life and works everyday to help people do the same.

New edition of our best-selling book which helps social workers gain a comprehensive understanding of how to achieve best practice in applying the Care Act 2014. It covers the key stages of the 'care and support journey' - first contact, assessment of needs, prevention, consideration of eligibility, charging and financial assessment, care and support planning, and review. In addition, other chapters look at significant issues such as safeguarding and working with NHS colleagues. The core aims are to provide the following: a solid foundation for social work students in developing a critical understanding of the Care Act and its application, the material to help experienced social workers with developing the critical reflection necessary to enhance their ability to make professional judgements a source of reference which social workers can use to evaluate their local systems, policies and procedures. The second edition also provides practice examples of mistakes that have been made in applying the Care Act and the statutory guidance. It sets out more considered description of how social workers might apply the statutory guidance on personal budgets.

Providing a cultural and holistic analysis of African American food preferences, anthropologist Eric Bailey shows us how black Americans generally perceive health, body image, food, dieting, physical fitness, and exercise. Like the majority of Americans overall, black Americans are becoming more overweight and obese than ever before. So, too, they are seeing the consequences - heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, and Type II diabetes at earlier and earlier ages. Bailey offers a new cultural diet for black Americans and a way to work together collectively to not only understand this critical health issue, but also to establish a lifestyle strategy that will be both effective and manageable. This work will interest not only general readers, but also students and scholars in health and medicine, psychology and health psychology, nursing and social work. Views on celebrity black Americans who have fought battles against their weight, a review of soul food cookbooks and the cultural history of black American cuisine, and a critique of the lack of corporate America's marketing of health and fitness programs and items to the black American community are spotlighted. book also includes an overview of federally funded diet and fitness programs for black Americans that have seen some success.

"Understanding "Senility"" is designed to provide basic information about Alzheimer's disease and to help families who are dealing with a mentally impaired older person. In clear, understandable language, the book dispels myths about "senility", explores the early symptoms and later behaviour patterns of Alzheimer's disease, and describes treatable conditions that are sometimes mistaken for Alzheimer's. Special emphasis is placed on the emotional needs of families. Compassionate suggestions are offered to help families cope with the painful changes they see in their loved one. Understanding "Senility" has been described by reviewers as "perceptive", "informative", "refreshingly well-organised and stated" and containing "a wealth of helpful information" for laypersons struggling to understand a complex and difficult problem.