ELDERS & THEIR FAMILIES PEOPLE'S STORIES Family Matters • After The Stroke • Dealing With Dementia • Parkinson's & Beyond • Living With CHF • Depths of Depression •

After the Stroke

Barbara Garcia, a 63-year old widow, suffered a series of strokes over the course of two years. After the strokes began, Barbara moved to a board and care home. Her one son had recently graduated from college and had begun a career. The two were close, and she was very proud of him. Barbara's only other family member -- her brother -- lived in the East. Friends from her church stayed in touch and provided some social and emotional support, continuing to invite her to church functions and to include her in holidays and special events.

Barbara received rehabilitation therapy and regained her ability to walk, get herself to the toilet, and dress without assistance. She could also feed herself, but needed help cutting meat. Her balance was affected so she was not very steady on her feet, and she needed help in the shower. She could use the telephone to organize her own transportation, but she needed assistance managing her money and shopping. She could not do housework or laundry. Although the board and care home helped her to meet many of these needs, life there was barren compared to the life she had had before her strokes. An educated, sophisticated woman, she was worried about maintaining her mental skills.

Barbara came to an Adult Day Care program looking for enhanced quality of life. At the center, she has taken great interest in activities that challenge her intellectually -- for example, dramatic readings, word games, short films and museum trips. She is a leader and encourages her peers to participate in activities, including exercise session and walks. Barbara has made many friends at the center among staff and other participants, and has even recruited others from her board and care home to the program.

Barbara started a journal, recording her thoughts each day. A recent entry read: "Every day I thank God for my faith, and my life. And I thank God for this place where I can come each day...this place where good people are helping me get stronger from my strokes...and who help give my life fullness and meaning."

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