After a Stroke, Home Care Supports Family Caregivers

When a loved one is recovering from a stroke, family caregivers also need to take care of themselves.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, over 50,000 Canadians suffer a stroke each year. Today, stroke is the number three cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer. But many stroke victims survive. For them, the degree of recovery depends on several factors. This includes prompt treatment during the "golden hour"—the time period immediately after the stroke during which the most can be done to halt further damage to the brain. Rehabilitation therapy then helps many return to their highest possible level of physical and cognitive function.

Today, hospital stays are shorter than ever. Some stroke patients are discharged to a rehabilitation centre or other care facility. Many others return home, continuing treatment at an outpatient rehabilitation centre. Months or years of treatment may follow, enhancing recovery and helping to prevent another stroke.

This care regimen can take a toll on family members who are supporting a patient's recovery at home. Many of these impromptu family caregivers report feeling unprepared and overwhelmed by the tasks they must now perform and responsibilities they face. The necessary hands-on care may be unfamiliar and physically taxing. At the same time, they may be dealing with their own grief and stress resulting from the changes in their loved one, and in their relationship with the person.

Research shows that family caregivers may be at greater risk for depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease—even, most notably, of suffering a stroke themselves. Dr. Michael Hill of the Heart and Stroke Foundation says, "A stroke doesn't just affect one person. It can challenge families, overburden caregivers, and have a tremendous effect on the healthcare system."

It is so important for caregivers to take care of their own health. Experts remind caregivers, "Do something for yourself, every day." But how? Caregiving tasks, combined with work and other responsibilities, tax the time of almost all family caregivers.

If you are serving as a caregiver for someone who is living with the effects of a stroke, be sure to take advantage of support resources in your community. Ask the hospital discharge planner or social worker for suggestions. Join a local stroke survivor family support group. Contact the local chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Don't be afraid to ask friends and other family members to help.

In-home care can be a lifesaver—literally!

Many of the risk factors for another stroke are controllable, such as exercise, diet, managing blood pressure, avoiding stress and quitting smoking. Many family caregivers find that home care services provide indispensable help for their loved one as he or she recovers. Caregivers are trained to support the patient's recovery by:

Providing personal care services such as bathing, dressing, shaving, transferring from bed to chair, incontinence care and toileting

Preparing meals, including soft and other special diets, and assisting with eating

Keeping the house clean and in order with home support services, and checking for hazards that could cause a fall

Providing respectful, understanding companionship and mental stimulation, which help the patient avoid loneliness and isolation

Transporting the patient to healthcare and rehabilitation appointments

Encouraging compliance with the healthcare provider's instructions, including medication management and a home exercise routine prescribed by the physical, occupational and/or speech therapist.

Family members also benefit when a trained in-home caregiver joins the stroke recovery home team:

• With the in-home caregiver taking over many care tasks and providing respite care services, family have more time for work duties, other family tasks, and time off for their own needs. They are more likely to be mindful of their own nutrition and exercise.
  
  
• Whether they are across the country or just in another room, family members feel much less anxiety knowing a competent caregiver is on hand to watch out for their loved one—providing help upon discharge, performing physical care tasks, and supporting their loved one's emotional well-being.
  
  
• Hiring in-home care helps "normalize" family relationships. Most families and patients appreciate the in-home caregiver taking over personal care tasks such as bathing, toileting and incontinence care, which helps preserve the patient's sense of dignity and privacy. Patient and family can spend more time doing activities they enjoy.
  
  
• Helping with the cost of in-home care is a way that other family members can provide concrete support for the family member who serves as the primary caregiver. Says one son, "I can't travel to Dad's city as often as I'd like, and my sister who lives near him provides the lion's share of care. I call several times a week, express my appreciation for all Sis does—but paying for in-home care and assistance was when I really felt I was doing my part to support her in all she does for Dad."

For More Information

See "Home Care Supports Recovery After a Stroke" to learn more about the ways home care supports stroke rehabilitation.

Find more resources about stroke and stroke caregiving on the Heart and Stroke Foundation website.