Care after stroke at home: the first steps

This article provides practical steps for arranging care and support for your loved one.

When your partner comes home after a stroke, it can be overwhelming. There are many things to arrange, and it is important to be well-prepared. This article helps you with the first steps in care after a stroke at home.

What should I arrange upon discharge from the hospital?

Upon discharge from the hospital after a stroke, it is important to arrange care after a stroke at home properly. Here are the steps you can follow:

• Communicate with the nurse: Let them know in advance that home care is needed. This can help to arrange everything calmly.
• Help from the transfer nurse: This nurse can assist you in finding a care organization and arranging the necessary care for home.
• Involve a district nurse: A district nurse will come to your home to assess what care is needed and can request it. You do not need a referral for district nursing.
• Household help: Arrange household help yourself or make adjustments at home through the WMO desk.

Do you feel overwhelmed? It’s okay to say that. You don’t have to do it alone. What do you need most right now?

How can I cope with my partner's rehabilitation?

After a stroke, your partner's rehabilitation can raise many questions. It is important to understand that the effects of a stroke can be both visible and invisible. Think of paralysis, fatigue, and problems with language or memory. This may mean that your partner needs more help, even if it is not always visible to others.

Providing support

• Ask the rehabilitation team: Discuss which tasks you can safely support and what professional help is available.
• Give time: Allow your partner time to process information and try not to take over everything.
• Share the care: It is important to take care of yourself as well and to share the care with others. This prevents overload and loneliness.

Help and contact

Reach out to a national patient association for brain injury. They provide information, peer support, and practical tips specifically for caregivers. This can help you better understand and process the changes in your lives.

How are you doing in this situation now?

What can I do about fatigue and changes in behavior?

In care after stroke at home, it is important to understand that fatigue and changes in behavior are common. After a stroke, people may experience various symptoms, such as irritability or a lack of initiative. This behavior is a result of brain damage and not unwillingness.

What can you do?

• Limit stimuli: Ensure a calm environment to prevent overstimulation.
• Speak calmly and clearly: This helps your loved one better understand what you are saying.
• Provide structure: A fixed routine can help make the day more manageable.
• Name what you see: Indicate what you notice without blaming. This can help improve communication.

It is also important to take care of yourself. Caregiving can be heavy, so make sure to keep an eye on your own boundaries. Talk to others about your experiences, for example, through peer support or with a professional. This can lighten the load and help you find solutions together.

What would help you most in this situation right now?

How do I ensure safety at home?

Safety at home is crucial after a stroke. Here are some steps to ensure a safe environment for your loved one:

• Arrange care: Contact the transfer nurse in the hospital before your loved one goes home. They will help arrange the necessary care at home. This may include district nursing, which does not require a referral.

• Adjustments at home: Look for adjustments needed in the house. This may include removing obstacles, installing handrails in the bathroom, or ensuring good lighting. You can request help through the WMO desk.

• Structure and calm: After a stroke, your loved one's behavior may change. Ensure a calm environment and clear structure. This helps reduce stimuli and makes it easier for your loved one to adapt.

• Communication: Speak calmly and clearly with your loved one. Name what you see without blaming. This can help reduce frustrations.

• Take care of yourself: Caregiving can be heavy. Also, pay attention to your own boundaries and feelings. Talk about this with others, for example, through the caregiver desk.

By following these steps, you can make care after a stroke at home safer and lighter. What are your biggest concerns at the moment?

How can I get support as a caregiver?

As a caregiver for someone who has had a stroke, it is important to seek support. Care after a stroke at home can be heavy, both physically and emotionally. You may face changed roles and feelings of grief for the person you once knew. This is very understandable and should be acknowledged.

Seeking support:

• Contact a national patient association for brain injury. They provide information, peer support, and practical tips.
• C-support offers information about the social and psychological consequences of brain injury and refers to support for caregivers. You can find this through C-support for caregivers.
• For local caregiver support, you can go to the caregiver desk. This can help you with administrative matters and finding replacement care.

It is also important to take good care of yourself. Talk to others about what you need and which tasks you can share. How do you feel about caring for your loved one?