“I’m a nurse; the rug was pulled from under me, to realize that physicians and health care companies did not value the aging process, or the aged,” says Marcella of the difficult time she and her mother, Shirley, had after Shirley suffered a stroke at age 72. 

Marcella and Shirley are guests on Shaping Families radio program this week now airing on 18 stations across the U.S. They previously appeared in the Embracing Aging: Families Facing Change TV documentary produced by Third Way Media.

The American Heart Association reports an estimated 600,000 people will have a stroke this year, one nearly every 40 seconds. Many of those stroke victims will need to spend extended time in a nursing or assisted living facility. About 1.5 million people live in certified nursing homes or health care facilities. That means many more millions of people—children, spouses, nieces, nephews and caring friends—are involved in the difficult decision regarding someone who has to move to a nursing care facility.

Shaping Families radio program airs each weekend with new material, podcast, and a study guide posted each Friday at www.ShapingFamilies.com. Shaping Families is produced by Third Way Media through Mennonite Mission Network.