Caring for someone who's had a stroke
A stroke can happen out of the blue and can have a huge impact on your life overnight. But there are organisations that understand and their dedicated services can help you get the support you need to cope.
Where can I find specialist support?
Organisations like the Stroke Association and Different Strokes recognise that strokes can affect people in many different ways. They can offer a wide range of resources, practical advice and support for everyone affected.
Here are some useful links:
Resources and guides to help if you're looking after a stroke survivor (from Stroke Association)
stroke.org.uk/stroke/support/caring-for-a-stroke-survivor
Guides from Different Strokes including one on caring
differentstrokes.co.uk/stroke-information/information-pack/
If you have a specific query, you may find these services helpful:
Stroke Association
The Stroke Helpline:
0303 3033 100 or email helpline@stroke.org.uk
Find out more about their services here.
Different Strokes
Information Line: 0345 1307172
info@differentstrokes.co.uk
Find out more about their services here.
You may need support for your own wellbeing too.
Support from the Stroke Association:
They run an Emotional Support Service for stroke survivors and carers. You can find out more about this here: stroke.org.uk/professionals/life-after-stroke-services/emotional-support
Different Strokes has a directory of support groups on their site:
differentstrokes.co.uk/what-we-do/find-a-support-group/
Carers UK
Our Carers UK support sessions offer an opportunity to connect with other carers and find out about matters of interest:
Share and Learn
Your health and wellbeing guidance
Our guides and sources of support
Whilst we don't offer specialist information about the effects of having a stroke, we do have some suggestions that could help you take care of your friend or loved one and make their life easier on their path to recovery following a stroke.
Stroke support
You may feel it's now necessary to alter the home or consider accessories, tech and equipment to help someone who is now having to adapt to living with restricted movement or a disability following a stroke. This section of our website offers some ideas to help: Technology and equipment | Carers UK.
One of the first steps is to arrange a needs assessment if they haven't had one already. The term for this may differ depending on where you live, but essentially this is a review of someone's needs, looking at what will help them regain more independence and improve their day-to-day life following a bout of poor health, accident or injury.
As an unpaid carer, you may also be eligible for a needs assessment. If you are struggling with health issues and are under strain, you can also request a needs assessment for yourself. You can have this as well as a carer’s assessment.
Depending on where you live, there may be a waiting list for this. It is worth checking with your local authority or health and social care trust (in Northern Ireland).
Arranging care for someone
If you reach a point, where you need additional support to look after someone, there are various options to consider. Everyone's circumstances are different so it may be a case of trial and error at first. However we hope to make these difficult decisions easier for you by providing lots of guidance and information to help you make informed choices.
Using a care agency can be more expensive than employing a care worker directly, but there are certain responsibilities to fulfil if you are taking on the role of an employer to recruit someone directly. See our online pages for more information and guidance:
Fore more information about finding care agencies, see this page.
For more information about directly employing a care professional, see this page.
You can explore other options on our arranging care for someone page.
How do I take time out?
If you feel in need of a break, try not to feel guilty about arranging one. Often, it is easier to put the needs of those we care for before our own.
See our webpage, Taking a break, for some ideas on how to take some time out. On this page, you can also download a factsheet with lots of tips and organisations that can help with arranging respite care.
Managing someone's affairs
If someone you care for might need help with managing their affairs now or in the future, you could consider the different ways in which you could help make important decisions on their behalf.
Connecting with others
You can connect to our forum to read what others have experienced when loved ones have had a stroke here.
To post topics or join a conversation on our forum, Carers Connect, you need to become a member. This is free and can give you access to lots of additional support in case you need it: join us.
