10 Tips on Transitioning After Coming Home When You Have Had A Stroke
1. Try not to worry if things feel different.
Whilst nobody likes being in the hospital, there can be a sense of safety when you are surrounded by medical professionals and a routine – particularly if you have been in a rehab hospital. Hopefully, you will have some visits or appointments booked in after you leave the hospital – this will usually taper off.
It is really normal to struggle with adjusting to home life.
This is a period of change for everyone in the household. Your life has changed since the last time you were home. You may feel anxious about having another stroke – this is very normal too and something that you should discuss with people you feel comfortable with.
If you require help with day-to-day tasks or personal care from your loved ones this can feel strange for them and you. This may be a dynamic that has never happened in your relationship before. This will take adjustment – try to keep communicating with each other – you will be learning together. At home, you will be recovering not only physically and cognitively but also psychologically from the trauma of a major health event- this is not to be underestimated.
2. Don’t fight to rest.
Almost a quarter of the responses we had about this time when about rest!
In fact, sleep is going to help your recovery so see this as part of your rehabilitation, studies show that sleep fosters neuroplasticity improving learning and memory.
Perhaps if you are reading this you may be supporting a stroke survivor. If so, encourage them to rest, and don’t be surprised if they sleep a lot more than usual in the first few weeks or months after recovery.
3. Join a stroke community.
As an organization we know the importance of finding fellow survivors – it is the reason our charity began! Having a support network can help the whole family.
4. Get to know and understand your limits.
The effects of a stroke are different for everyone. As you return to parts of your pre-stroke life you will be learning what your new limits are. You may want to try and do as much as you did before, but please bear in mind that your recovery is ongoing, and it is better to start slow and build up your capacity than to do too much and burn out.
5. Patience, patience, and more patience!
Stroke recovery takes a lot of patience. Stroke recovery is a marathon and not a sprint. Our community encourages you to be patient with yourself and if you are supporting a survivor be patient with your loved one.
6. Your mental health is a priority too.
You have been through a life-changing traumatic event. This is the time to ask for help and to recognize that it is natural to feel anxious, sad, or scared. Many survivors and their families benefit from coaching or counseling after a stroke.
7. You have to be proactive in your own recovery.
After discharge, a lot of survivors and their families become ‘in charge’ of recovery. It can take a lot of coordination and being proactive to ensure you are getting the help that you need. If you are a survivor – it can be useful to ask for a family member or friend to help you to coordinate this.
8. Be kind to yourself.
Whether you are adapting to post-stroke life as a survivor or a caregiver – being kind to yourself as you go through this process is SO IMPORTANT! In fact, 10% of the advice we received was about being kind and gentle with yourself.
9. Remember everyone is adjusting.
Stroke impacts the whole family; it may be difficult to feel understood by your loved ones- particularly if your communication has been impacted. The recovery process can be so frustrating, and you may experience anger or low moods. If you are caring for a loved one after a stroke, try to be patient and understand. If you are a stroke survivor try and remember those around you are adjusting. We have information and videos about relationships and sex after a stroke. Click here for more information
10. Make adaptations.
While you recover and start to do more, you may find that you have to adapt routines or daily tasks to make them work for you. It could mean incorporating a daily nap to manage fatigue, it could be phasing a return to work or even a change of career or life path. Doing all the steps above will help you to learn where you are and start to move towards reclaiming your life.
Stay Strong Samantha
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