Helping Your Family Adapt After Stroke

Contents:

• Medical Video: Webinar: Guidelines for Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
  

Medical Video: Webinar: Guidelines for Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery

If you have a family member who has a stroke, you may be concerned about how a stroke will affect your family's lifestyle. You may worry about financial problems and changes in roles and responsibilities in the family.

Here are some ways that you can help your loved ones and other family members to adapt.

1. Be aware that after a stroke, your loved one may tend to have a strong emotional reaction. Remember that this is the result of a stroke. Try not to be too disappointed with this change of attitude.
2. Don't avoid your loved ones who suffer from strokes. Relationships and support from family members are very important for healing your loved ones.
3. Join with support group and the local stroke community. This group will provide a place for you to discuss problems, share experiences, and opportunities to meet other people who also face the same problem. Ask your doctor about the community in your area.
4. Take care of your health. You must stay healthy so that you can take care of your loved ones who have suffered a stroke. You are an important part of your family members during the recovery period after a stroke.
5. Provide support and encouragement to them to participate in making decisions regarding the rehabilitation program.
6. Visit often and talk with them.
7. Participate in educational programs and attend several therapy sessions.
8. Help them practice the skills they learn.
9. Work with program officers to match activities to their needs after returning home.
10. Find out what they can do on their own and what kind of help they need. Avoid helping them if they can do it without your help.