I notice a pattern of serving more stroke victims lately who are working through the financial, business and financial after-effects of their long term medical condition. It is often a long multi-year recovery with skills like speech and social skills improving slowly. It is not clear how these new clients find me. Some cite Google, even though I don’t advertise there. I discussed this question with a CPA friend who is an ordained pastor. I’ve had some training in interfaith counseling and executive coaching, and we see some similarities in our approach to client manner. We conclude that certain personality traits tend to attract clients who need a patient professional provider. But since this seems to be a growing trend, I thought it might be useful to share some of the lessons learned in this work.
The common traits I notice in most stroke recovery clients include:
– They are generally well in control of their thoughts about their finances and their wishes, even if there are interruptions and unevenness in action. They are frustrated that other people think they are less capable than they really are. Their memories are better than I would have presumed (sometimes better than mine).
– Their speech is affected and it takes more effort to understand what they are saying. One client slurs, another talks too quietly. They appreciate when I say things like “I just want to be sure that I understood what you said”.
– They often have unresolved business issues, contracts, accounts, etc. that need closure. They appreciate an accountant with a broad business background willing to do what it takes to get it done.
– They know they want someone they can trust for the long term. I say that trust takes time, and we both need to show that we can work together.
– Paranoia during recovery is normal. I don’t take it personally if they are overly skeptical even after we have agreed and completed a task. I make extra efforts to explain and document everything.
– They actually read long written explanations and opinions. They appreciate that I lay out, in writing, the options available and the course of action I recommend. I always make it clear that it is their choice, but they almost always go with my suggestions.
– They were vulnerable to fraud by family members, employees, partners and others when they were at their worse; usually right after the stroke. Sadly, I see it too often. I can’t accuse or blame, but I make it clear that we are taking steps to protect assets and accounts going forward.
– They are not overly stressed about tax collection notices. They realize that they need to take it all in stride and are addressing taxes in an appropriate order with other life demands.
– I’ve never had any trouble asserting that a stroke is reasonable cause for tax penalty abatement, especially when I explain that I was hired to resolve the messes.
Obviously, these observations are generalizations and stereotypes. Every client is unique, builds a different type of relationship, and must be treated according to their individual requests.
Unfortunately, if we choose to serve older less healthy clients, that means that we will be saddened to experience the deaths of most during our careers. My father, age 91, talks about how sad it is to see many in your life die, but that it certainly beats the alternative. My stroke recovery clients make me appreciate my own health and remind me to make the most of it.