(NAPSA)—Lori Ramos Cavallo compares being a new caregiver to being CEO of a Fortune 500 companystraight outof high school. Noprior experience. No qualifications. No idea where to start. “My Mom went from being completely active to needing care overnight,” said Cavallo, who cared for her mother for eight years following a devastating stroke. “You don’t prepare for that rehabilitation, insurance and mentally, financially or emotion- more. This guidewill help the person who does the helping.” ally. It’s a struggle.” To help stroke caregivers, the Acommon fear for caregivers is American Stroke Association, a that their loved one may have Association, developed “Caregiver Stroke Association’s Together to division of the American Heart Guide to Stroke.” The free guide another stroke. The American End Stroke initiative, nationally sponsored by the global health care product company Covidien, health care team, managing the teaches the acronym F.AS.T. to effects of a stroke, legal re- help people remember common sources, financial support and warningsignsofstroke. F—Face Drooping health coverage. A—Arm Weakness “Becoming a caregiver can be overwhelming,” said Barry J. S—Speech Difficulty T—Time to call 9-1-1 Jacobs, Psy.D., clinical psycholoincludes sections on emotional support, communicating with the gist and family therapist at Crozer-Keystone Health System in Springfield, Pa. “While they are still adjusting emotionally to a To download the association's free “Caregiver Guide to Stroke,” visit www.StrokeAssociation. org/Caregiver. For caregiving or sudden changein their loved one’s general stroke inquiries, e-mail feel like they need to become or call 888-4-STROKE (888-4787653). functioning, family caregivers also TogethertoEndStroke@heart.org instant experts on treatments,
