Stroke care at home
Support between therapy sessions while your relative rebuilds strength, confidence and independence at home after a stroke.
Life after a stroke
A stroke is when blood stops flowing to part of the brain. It can affect things like speech and movement, and recovery can take a long time. For some people recovery takes days or weeks; for others it takes months or years (NHS).
Know the signs of a stroke, using FAST: Face, Arms, Speech, Time to call 999 (NHS). If you see them, call 999 straight away.
How needs change, and which care fits
Coming home from hospital
Tired and unsteady, perhaps using one side less, and anxious about being alone.
Often suits: live-in care or daily hourly visits for the first weeks
Rebuilding
Practising what the therapists recommend, and gradually doing more for themselves.
Often suits: hourly visits that step back as confidence grows
Living with what has changed
Settled into a new routine, with help for the tasks that remain difficult.
Often suits: regular hourly visits or companionship
What a carer can do
- Help with washing, dressing and toileting, encouraging your relative to do what they can
- Help moving around the home safely, using equipment the carer is trained to use
- Encourage the exercises the physiotherapist and occupational therapist recommend
- Support communication if speech has been affected, with patience
- Prepare meals that suit any swallowing advice from the speech and language therapist
- Prompt medication as agreed, and go to appointments together
- Rebuild confidence getting out, for a walk, the shops or a café
The NHS leads rehabilitation
After a stroke, the NHS team, often including physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists, plans and leads rehabilitation. The carer is there in the hours in between, helping your relative practise and keep going.
Lowering the risk of another stroke
After a stroke or a TIA (mini-stroke), the risk of another stroke is higher, but there are things that lower it (NHS):
- Taking medicines for conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, as prescribed
- Eating a balanced diet
- Exercising, as the team advises
- Stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol
A carer can help with the everyday parts: prompting medication, cooking balanced meals and encouraging gentle activity.
Feelings after a stroke
Many people feel low, frustrated or anxious after a stroke, and family members can feel it too. Company, routine and small goals help. If low mood lasts, speak to the GP.
Helping with communication
- Speak clearly and give time to answer
- Ask yes or no questions when words are hard
- Use gestures, pictures or writing
- Follow the speech and language therapist's advice
Money and support
Ask the hospital team what support is being arranged for leaving hospital, and whether your relative needs a needs assessment. Attendance Allowance can help with the cost of care for people over State Pension age. The Stroke Association has information and support for families.
Tell us about them
The diagnosis, how they are now, routines, and what matters to them.
See matched profiles
Profiles say what experience each carer has, so you can choose with care.
Speak first
Talk to carers by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Care starts
You and your carer agree the routine, and change it as needs change.
How carers are checked
Before LCH Care introduces a carer, we check their identity, right to work in the UK, Enhanced DBS, two references, work history, and relevant training or qualifications. Carers also hold their own public liability insurance. You then speak to the carer by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Other conditions
- Dementia care
- Parkinson's care
- Palliative and end of life care
- Multiple sclerosis care
- Motor neurone disease care
- Cancer care
- Brain injury care
- Spinal cord injury care
- Cerebral palsy care
- Muscular dystrophy care
- Diabetes care
- Heart disease care
- COPD care
- Arthritis and osteoporosis care
- Sight loss care
- Mental health support
- Learning disability support
- All conditions
Questions
Can care start when someone comes home from hospital?
Often, if a suitable carer is available. Tell us the likely discharge date as early as you can.
Can a carer help with stroke exercises?
Carers can encourage and support the exercises the therapists recommend. The therapists plan and lead the rehabilitation.
Hourly or live-in care after a stroke?
Live-in care suits the first weeks if your relative is unsteady or anxious alone. Hourly visits suit people who are safe alone for part of the day, and can reduce as confidence grows.
What are the signs of another stroke?
Use FAST: Face, Arms, Speech, Time to call 999. Call 999 straight away if you see them.
How long does recovery from a stroke take?
It varies. For some people it takes days or weeks; for others it takes months or years.
Can care reduce as my relative recovers?
Yes. You and your carer can reduce visits as confidence and independence return.