Review of The Comfort of Home for Stroke: A Guide for Caregivers (Comfort of Home, The) (Paperback)

I thought this book had a lot of good basic information (including sources for products) for someone taking care of an elderly stroke survivor at home. This book assumes you will be taking on the role of full time nurse/medical assistant and even gives instruction things like changing bed linens with the person lying in bed - like in a hospital. I did like the reminders that caregivers need to take care of themselves - this is vital not only to the caregiver but also to the patient, who will receive better care and I applaud the authors for giving this strong emphasis. I took of a star because of them extreme emphasis on elderly stroke survivors and dark view of recovery. There are many many younger people who suffer strokes each year - in my case a young adult sister. After her stroke I sought out information on strokes like a woman possessed - and this book would have frightened me unnecessarily. For example, the book states that docs say that all of the recovery that will take place will happen within the first six months. After this heartbreaking statement, the sidebar "tip" says that although the MOST gains occur during the first six months, recovery continues after that time period. They did a huge disservice to readers by presenting this information in that way. Other stroke books I consulted (and my own experience) indicate that recovery will continue for a very long time - more than 3 years for noticeable gains. Also, the book assumes that the person will never, ever return to his or her old job - incorrect information in my experience. Overall, it is a good basic book - but overly pessimistic on recovery. The first book you should read is Living With Stroke: A Guide for Families, 3E....then once things settle down and you are thinking about long term care you might try The Comfort of Home.

Product Description
This complete guide helps caregivers, family members, and stroke survivors understand the day-to-day issues faced by care providers. It guides readers through every stage of care, from explaining different kinds of strokes to understanding personality changes brought on by the illness. Other topics covered include how to prevent strokes from recurring, making the home safe and comfortable, returning to work after a stroke, and preventing caregiver burnout.

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