Support at home
Family and friends can help in many ways. For example, they can:
- help practise exercises between therapy sessions;
- give emotional support and keep the person motivated towards long-term goals;
- adapt to the person’s needs, for example, speaking more slowly and using gestures if they have communication problems; and
- learn techniques for dealing with difficult situations, such as how to help the person get up if they have a fall.
Tips for carers
- Be patient. Rehabilitation is a slow and often frustrating process. Don’t worry if there are days when little progress seems to be made.
- Be positive. Constant encouragement and praise are needed to keep up everyone’s spirits.
- Get the right balance between helping and encouraging the person to gain independence and confidence by doing things for themselves.
- Set a daily routine that everyone can stick to. Build in short but regular periods in the day to practise exercises and learn skills.
- Make time for yourself. Seeing your own friends and having your own hobbies is an important way to keep up your strength and patience.
Links
Brain attack
Recovery and rehabilitation
Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy
Speech and language therapy
Swallowing
Vision
Using the toilet
Psychological changes
Helping rehabilitation
Rehabilitation in the community
