Goal setting works better if you can write your goals down. Here are some good reasons why.
It could help you to….
Later on we will show you a planner to help you record your goals. If you have difficulty writing, you could ask someone to help you or you could audio record them.
”Let’s look at how Rosie got on with her goal”
Below are some suggestions which may work for you. Have a look through them and select which ones you might want to try in the future. Perhaps this could be used to help fill out a goal setting template for yourself?
| I’LL TRY THIS | THIS IS NOT FOR ME | |
|---|---|---|
| Set aside uninterrupted time and when I wont be so tired | ||
| Use cushions/pillows for support | ||
| Be comfortable kissing and touching without necessarily having intercourse | ||
| Consider different positions that might make things easier | ||
| Be open and consider each others needs | ||
| Ask my GP about tablets | ||
| Share my worries with my partner | ||
| Look for further information online | ||
| Speak to a health professional involved in my care | ||
| Go on a date and be more romantic with my partner. | ||
| Tell them that I still care | ||
| Create a space where we both feel comfortable and intimate | ||
| Wear something that makes me feel more comfortable and attractive | ||
| Don’t be afraid to go back-to-basics and find what works for each of us | ||
| Spend more time doing things that make me feel good. |
Download the strategies for being intimate sheet [.pdf, 67KB]
This was filmed with the kind permission of Stagecoach East Scotland.
Getting the bus was new to me as I had always driven before. That was a challenge! Balancing, stepping up, getting my bus pass out of my pocket and holding my shopping bags. Not to mention getting to the seat before the bus took off. Although I now ask the driver to give me time and I can challenge people who are sitting on the disabled seats where they shouldn’t be.
I feel like I am mobile again and fitter to take on new challenges. I have started volunteering for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland a few days a week. I’ve even took driving lessons and now I’m back behind the wheel again. Being fitter has helped me take on this challenge.”
Do you think you can add these suggestions to your daily routine?
I’ve been really lucky, Wilma my partner has been amazing. She’s totally been there for me since day one. I wasn’t long retired and she was just getting used to having me under her feet all day- we had such plans for our retirement. When I got home I was such hard work, Wilma had to help me get in and out the bath and even help me get to the toilet during the night. It’s hard when your wife turns into your carer.
You really find out who your true friends are. I was surprised that some friends drifted away they just didn’t seem to know how to deal with me. I could be bitter about it but hey life’s too short. Bill from works been great, we meet up every week and give Wilma and me a break from each other.
If anything Wilma and I are stronger. We still have a laugh together and when things get hard we try to work it out together rather than blame each other. We still need our space, but that’s pretty normal isn’t it? We had thought about moving abroad when I retired but now we’re stuck in sunny Scotland. But you know it’s made us think about what’s important like being close to our children and grandchildren- now life’s slowed down we see much more of them. At first we didn’t want to have carers in but we now have someone in the morning and that wee bit of help has made such a difference to us. Wilma’s less tired out but almost more importantly it means she’s still my partner most of the time, not my carer. To begin with I thought she didn’t fancy me anymore but when we eventually discussed it she said it felt strange with her caring for me and everything. She wasn’t sure if I would be interested any more, I soon put her right.
So as you can see I’ve been left with weakness down my left side and I have to use this thing (points to wheelchair). I suppose people don’t see the other side of it, like coming to terms with how it’s changed my whole life. It’s not all been bad, but it’s been quite a journey so far.
Don’t try and change what you can’t change, like going abroad. Some relationships have got stronger but some friends have drifted away. It certainly worked for us being able to talk about it. You worry about what you might hear from those close to you, but most of the time things are never as bad as you think they will be. It helped not over-thinking things and talking about my worries instead of lying awake at night thinking about them.
It’s important to:
I really never liked asking for help – everyone always came to me. I realised I needed the support of my husband, family and friends to be able to overcome some of the obstacles I faced. This gave me the confidence to move towards my goal.
Let’s now think about who could support you to meet your goal.
Medications prescribed by your doctor or consultant have many positive effects, such as:
| They may reduce the risk of a TIA or stroke in the future |  |
| Thin your blood and reduce the risk of clots |  |
| Lower blood pressure |  |
| Lower heart rate |  |
| Reduce the problems that can occur if you have an irregular heartbeat such as atrial fibrillation |  |
| Lower cholesterol |  |
Remember you have been prescribed medication to reduce your risk of another stroke. It is important to understand your medications and how they help you.
Annie has made a good recovery from her stroke and, until recently, she enjoyed attending the stroke club in her local town hall. But now she has stopped going.
Annie realises that not getting out to her group was affecting her mood and self esteem. She now makes a effort to get out and about as it makes her feel better. Finally, let’s hear from David about how he recognised his warning signs.
Feedback
If you have selected no for all of these questions, the good news is that you probably don’t have a problem with getting a good night’s sleep. However, we recommend you carry on with this section to find out more about sleep.
If you have selected yes to some of these questions, this suggests you do have a problem with getting a good night’s sleep. We recommend you carry on with this section to explore why.
Here is the sheet that helped Jane and Deirdre breakdown problems in order to set goals more effectively.
| Step | Tips | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify the problem Break it down into smaller steps |
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| 2 | List solutions Write down as many ideas as you can think of – even if they seem silly |
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| 3 | Barriers Think about possible barriers Choose one of your ideas that looks more likely to work |
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| 4 | Plan Plan out step-by-step what you need to do Think – What? Who? How? When? |
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| 5 | Do it Take the first step |
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| 6 | Review Review how it went What have you learned? Would you do it differently next time? |
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You might find it useful to save this for reference. You can download it here.
Download the problem-solving sheet [.pdf, 330 KB]
Now let’s look more closely at how Deirdre planned her week.
MedicationsWhat they do
Antiplatelet drugs:
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Reduce blood clotting They do this by making the cells in your blood, known as platelets, less “sticky”. This lowers the chance of another clot forming. |
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Anticoagulants:
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Reduce blood clotting Anticoagulants interrupt part of the process involved in the formation of blood clots stopping your blood from clotting as quickly or easily. This lowers the chance of another clot forming.If you are taking an anticoagulant you should be issued with either an alert card or booklet specific to the drug you have been prescribed. It is important that you carry this on you so that in case of emergencies, a doctor attending to you knows which anticoagulant you are taking and at what dose. |
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Statins:
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Lower cholesterol If you have a high cholesterol level, fatty deposits can start to build up in blood vessels and increase your risk of stroke. Statins work by reducing the amount of cholesterol in your blood by blocking the chemical in the liver that produces it. |
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| Blood Pressure medication: | Lower Blood Pressure If you have high blood pressure you may have been given a tablet to help lower it. These tablets may cause side effects, but they are doing an important job in helping to lower your risk of another stroke or heart attack. To find out more about high blood pressure treatments and medications see more information |
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As every patient and stroke is different, medication is tailored to meet each individual’s needs.
