Caregivers/family members play a prominent role throughout the post-stroke recovery process. Caregivers/family members are essential to successful home care and too often are ignored. Caring for stroke survivors at home can cause high levels of emotional, mental and physical stress. In addition to distress, disruption of employment and family life makes caregiving very challenging. Family caregivers can promote positive post-stroke recovery outcomes; however, they need to care for themselves as well. Post-stroke recovery varies for each person; even if the stroke survivor returns to work and maintains a large amount of autonomy, family members may play a bigger role in the stroke survivor’s live than before the stroke.

Caregivers/family members of stroke survivors: You are not alone. National Stroke Association is dedicated to providing educational programs and resources to help you navigate the challenging post-stroke recovery journey.

Caregivers/family members may:

• Assist with doctor’s appointments, medications, and exercises.
• Manage financial matters and transportation.
• Provide the stroke survivor with physical, mental and emotional support.
• Assist the stroke survivor with daily activities such as personal care and hygiene.
• Plan out the stroke survivor’s care, including setting routines and managing the care team.
• Assess stroke survivor’s medical needs, communicate with healthcare professionals and advocate (medically) for the stroke survivor.

Careliving Guide assists you and your family members through the recovery process. Download the guide in full or by chapter.

HOPE: A Stroke Recovery Guide is a resource with valuable information about stroke and post-stroke recovery.

Careliving Community℠ is an online network for caregivers to connect, share stories, discuss issues and support one another. Topics range from self-care and “me” time to caregiver depression and anger.

Join the Community now!

iHOPE: Creating a Caregiving Support System is a webinar led by Sara Palmer, PhD, that discusses how caregivers can take care of themselves while caring for a stroke survivor.

Living After Stroke is a series of webinars and resource guides to help caregivers and stroke survivors with post-stroke challenges such as adjusting to life at home, work and in the community, and accessing services.

Support Groups allow caregivers and stroke survivors to meet face-to-face. National Stroke Association’s Stroke Support Group Registry includes active groups from all over the United States.

Other Resources

Lotsa Helping Hands offers free tools to coordinate care and make life easier for caregivers. Tools include a help calendar, which enables members to schedule and sign up for tasks that provide respite for the caregiver, plus message boards, personal blogs, photo sharing, and information and records storage.