Family and Carer Support Service
Family and Carer Support is a visiting service that gives practical information and emotional support to the families and carers of people who have had a stroke. We help families prepare for the changes that inevitably happen because of a stroke, and make sure they are able to cope - both physically and emotionally. The service can also help people who live alone.
Family and Carer Support is free to individuals and their families, as it is paid for by local health or social services authorities. Unfortunately, not all authorities pay for the service, so it is only available in certain areas.
How do I contact Family and Carer Support?
A Family and Carer Support Co-ordinator may regularly visit hospital wards, or hospital staff can refer new stroke patients. In the community, GPs, district nurses and social workers can refer families. If your family hasn’t been referred, for example if the person who had a stroke wasn’t in hospital, you can find out if Family and Carer Support Services are available near you
How can the service help?
A Family and Carer Support Co-ordinator visits the person who has had a stroke in hospital, if appropriate, and makes home visits before and after they leave hospital. They will look at the needs of the person and their family, and may:
- give advice, emotional support and information to help people understand the effects of a stroke;
- put people in touch with local groups and services, stroke clubs or carers’ groups;
- arrange for trained volunteers to make further visits if needed; and
- advise families on how to get help from health services, social services and voluntary organisations.
Links
Stroke Information Service
Communication Support Service
Stroke clubs
Welfare grants
Research
Campaigns
How you can help
