Caring for a loved one after a stroke by Jon Caswell

Caring for a loved one in a time of medical need is a generous and loving thing to do. It is also trying, exhausting and a good way to burn out. Caring for a stroke survivor can be all that and more. Recovery from a stroke can be very slow, and care-giving can become a marathon. Depending on their age as well as the size and location of the injury (often called a “lesion”), survivors may recover all their facilities, some, or none of them.

They may be greatly disabled for months and gradually recover for years. There are often cognitive and emotional changes. All of this is further complicated by the fact that every stroke is different, so what works for one may not work for others. It’s hard to generalize about the stroke caregiving experience.

Because of the nature of a stroke, most caregivers come to their roles suddenly, essentially overnight, without any training. Often, family members assume the caregiving role by default, because they are the spouse or because they are the child who is closest. The first question that must be answered is whether you are emotionally and physically able to do the work, because it is work – you are taking on the responsibilities of at least some portion of another person’s life. Training on how to be a stroke caregiver is minimal, so you will be on your own. This is not to say you should not look for resources and training. My point is that you will have to look for it, it is not obvious. For more