This section of the website is here to provide support for those who care for someone who has suffered a stroke. As well as offering advice on how you can encourage recovery it informs you of organisation available to lend you a helping hand
Support For Carers
Many carers experience that their responsibilities have a negative effect on their mental, emotional, physical, and financial state. Accordingly, there are support networks and services offered to carers that can help alleviate these difficulties. This page provides information on a variety of services that caters to meeting carers needs.
Below are helpful links for carers - also see the Resources page of this website.
0800 00 99 66
http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/
General Enquiries, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm
020 7490 8818
http://www.carersuk.org/Home
info@carersuk.org
Free Call, Helpline only available Wed & Thurs, 10-12 and 2pm-4pm
0808 808 7777
Ring if you need help with your caring role and want to talk to someone about what options are available toyou. The helpline is open from 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and from 11am to 4pm, at weekends. Calls form UK landlines and Vodaphone, T-Mobile and O2 mobile phone networks are free.
0808 802 0202
www.carersdirectenquiry.nhs.uk
Providing help and advice for people in long term care (long-stay hospitals, residential and nursing homes) and their families
020 7359 8136
www.relres.org
info@relres.org
The Crossroads scheme allows carers a few hours break by providing trained Care Support Workers to come and look after the person you care for in their own home.
10 Regent Place, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 2PN
0845 450 0350
http://www.crossroads.org.uk/
0845 303 3100 (calls at local rates - Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
www.stroke.org.uk
info@stroke.org.uk
Who is a carer?
You are a carer if you provide help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend, or neighbour, who could not manage without your assistance. After suffering a stroke, people are often left with either short term or permanent disabilities and need to rely on a carer to help them with day to day living.
Support for carers
Many carers experience that their responsibilities have a negative effect on their mental, emotional, physical, and financial state. Accordingly, there are support networks and services offered to carers that can help alleviate these difficulties. This page provides information on a variety of services that caters to meeting carers needs.
Below are helpful links for carers - also see the Resources page of this website.
Tips For Care During Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation can be a slow and frustrating process so you must be patient. Do not worry if certain days bring little or no progress.
The person you are caring for really needs constant encouragment and praise at this time. Try and ensure spirits are raised
Try and be conscious of whilst helping allowing the person to gain independance and confidence by doing things themselves.
Have a routine that has set periods in the day where exercises are practised and skills learnt
To make your care as effective as it can be, make time to see your own friends and carry out your own hobbies
Help is available and we encourage you to use it. It can be an invaluable source of advice or just providing someone to talk to who understands. You can turn to
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Stroke Clubs
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Your GP
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The Stroke Associations rehabilitation and support services available in some areas
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Social workers
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Therapists
Social workers and therapists will be able to assess a persons need for mobility aids, home adaptations and specialist equipment to manage tasks at home.
Tips for family and friends
Family and friends are very important at this time and their help and support can be invaluable
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Help practise exercises between therapy sessions
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provide emotional support, keeping the person as motivated as possible towards their long term goals
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Adapt to the persons new needs. You may be required to speak slower or to use gestures to help them understand
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Learn how to deal with difficult situations such as what you should do if the person has a fall
