Tips for Caregivers of Stroke Survivors

If you are a caregiver for someone who has suffered a stroke, the best first step is to educate yourself and gather as much information as possible. Use these tips and resources to help better take care of your loved one and yourself.

Helpful Tips for Caregivers

Caregiving can be a delicate balance between providing your loved one the support they need and allowing them to do things for themselves. Going with your survivor to a rehabilitation session may help you understand what activities they can perform on their own, and what you may need to help them with. By allowing them to practice new skills, you can help them along the road to self-reliance.

Give your care recipient a better chance to succeed by preparing your home for safety.
Follow these tips to reduce the risk of falls:

• Remove rugs.
• Install grab bars in the bathroom near the toilet and in the shower.
• Consider kitchen accessibility for your stroke survivor.
• Make sure doors open fully. Some doorways may need to be widened for a wheelchair.
• Consider whether the stroke survivor’s bed is too high or too low. Modifying the bed’s height may allow your survivor to maintain their ability to get in and out of bed on their own.

Most of all, don’t be afraid to ask others for help.

Take Care of Yourself, Too

Whether you’re a new or experienced caregiver, it’s very important to remember to take care of your own needs when it comes to your health. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), many caregivers do not go to the doctor for their own health, usually because they’re putting their care recipient’s and family’s needs before their own. A caregiver’s declining health may reduce their ability to care for loved ones. 

Stroke Groups, Foundations, and Resources

• https://www.strokeassociation.org/
• https://www.heart.org/
• https://www.caregiving.org/