August 2022 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER 3

After our delicious dinner , I made a very sobering announcement . Earlier in the week , one of our members who I ’ ll refer to as the “ Hat Lady ” had a stroke in her home . A stroke victim has the best chance of recovery if found and treated during the first three hours following the stroke . Our friend wasn ’ t so lucky . Being single like so many of us here in Charbonneau , she lives alone , and , despite having friends and family nearby , was not found for two days . Imagine what those two days were like for her ! Friends and family tried contacting her during that time , and , not hearing from her , decided she must be busy . Then they got nervous . After two days , they found her . She has a long recovery ahead of her .

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within three hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke ... totally . He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized , diagnosed and then getting the patient medically cared for within three hours , which is tough . Below is some important information to read and memorize .

Recognizing a stroke

Thank God for the sense to remember the three steps , titled STR . Read and learn !

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify . Unfortunately , the lack of awareness spells disaster . The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke .

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions :

S - Ask the individual to SMILE .

T - Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SEN- TENCE coherently ( i . e . Chicken Soup ).

R - Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS .

New sign of a stroke - stick out your tongue

Ask the person to ‘ stick ’ out their tongue . If the tongue is ‘ crooked ,’ if it goes to one side or the other , that is also an indication of a stroke .

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks , call the emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher .

I sent a letter out to our membership and received some excellent advice regarding how to deal with living as a single and being prepared for an emergency . Here are a few suggestions .

1 . It ’ s so important for all of us solos to be sure someone will notice if we are ill or hurt ! I suggest trying “ Snug ,” a free app that allows you to set up a check-in time each day and , if you don ’ t check in , the contacts that you have set up will be notified . For a monthly fee , you can have more than one checkin time and some other features .

2 . In addition , it ’ s a good idea

to have a fire department lock box . The boxes are available at Lowe ’ s and Home Depot . You put a key in the box , attach it somewhere outside and notify the department that you have it installed .

3 . Other members have keypad locks . They give the code to TVF & R and have peace of mind !

4 . Another member wrote : “ I subscribed to GreatCall ( now part of Lively Mobile ). ( It ) gives me a necklace to wear . It has a button I can push and it notified a service , who calls to check and will call for emergency help . It can also track me in my car . It costs $ 45 a month , but I have found the peace of mind is worth it .”

Remember “ the Hat Lady ” and let ’ s all make an effort to be safe . If you are a single woman living in Charbonneau and you would like to consider joining Solo Sisters , please contact Deanna Morgan at deannamorgan @ gmail . com , and she will invite you to our next event .

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