I need advice about caring for my brother, and the emotional toll it has on us.

Hello

I’m sorry to hear about your brother’s stroke.  It sounds like things are really difficult, with a lot going on for you both. There are a few different ways to tackle this, and what will work best is different for everyone.

Have you spoken with your brother’s GP about his low mood and lack of interest in things? It would be good to start by getting some advice from his GP.

There may be some things you can try that will make things better – like organising regular activities outside the home for your brother. Some additional help from the services assisting your brother might also be an option, so you could talk to them about what’s happening after the carer leaves in the morning.

The Carer’s Gateway is a new government one stop shop for carers. Please give them a call on 1800 422 737. It would be good to talk things through with someone who knows what it’s really like to be a carer. They can give you advice, and figure out the best plan for you. You can also visit www.carersgateway.gov.au

Once you have a plan for what you think will work for you and your brother, you can talk to other family members about what life is really like now, and what they can do to help. It may also be that you need to start thinking and planning some bigger changes. Becoming a carer is a big commitment, and a long term one. And in the end, it’s your decision to make.

Please give us a call on StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 if you would like to talk it through some more.

Kind regards Jude (Social Work – StrokeLine)