Patience and a willingness to learn are the keys to acclimating yourself and the rest of your family to living with a stroke survivor. Stroke survivors and their families can feel overwhelmed by the challenges they face, but knowing the proper places and resources to turn to for help can make life much easier for all parties involved.

Family members such as spouses and children must begin the transition into caregiving before the stroke survivor arrives home. If you are the one who will be taking on the role of primary caregiver, it is important to participate fully in discharge planning. Discharge planning will provide opportunities to assess the safety of your home and how to make it a more livable space for the stroke survivor. This is a time to decide who will be providing continuing medical care for the patient and for family members to learn skills that will aid them in caring for their loved one. It is also a time to explore employment opportunities and activities that will allow the stroke survivor to live a full and satisfying life. By preparing as much as possible, the transition from rehabilitation to home will be easier on everyone.

Patience really comes into play once the stroke survivor has come home. You, as a caregiver, must be patient with yourself as you continue to learn new skills. You will, undoubtedly, make mistakes along the way. Connecting with a support group for caregivers is a great way to learn valuable information from those who have already experienced what you are going through. An excellent resource for help and support can be found at Lotsa Helping Hands. This online community is a service of the National Stroke Association. The Internet Stroke Center and American Stroke Association also provide excellent online reading materials and support tools.

And don't hesitate to ask for help. You are no good to yourself or your loved one if you try to take on the entire role of caretaking and isolate yourself from the outside world. You could also be denying friends and other family members the chance to reconnect with their loved one. Delegating some of the caretaking activities gives you a chance to rest and gives others a chance to find new ways to interact with the stroke survivor.

Don't exclude the children either. Kids want to be involved and can play a vital role in helping the stroke survivor adjust to home life. The Hip Hop Stroke program, developed by the National Stroke Association, was designed to be a fun way to educate children. It's a great way to remove some of the fear that children may have regarding the change in their loved one and to make them feel a part of the recovery process.

Getting out of the house and participating in community activities together can be a great way to relieve stress on the entire family. Many communities provide excellent art programs, dances, exercise programs, and even dating services geared specifically towards stroke survivors.

With all the challenges that life after stroke presents, the stroke survivor and their family members can still lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. Patience and a willingness to learn go a long way.

Learn more about this author, Madison West.
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