CNI Stroke Center
701 East Hampden Ave., Suite 415
Englewood, CO 80113
Phone: (303) 597-1724
Fax: (303) 788-7666
E-mail: NPyle@TheCNI.org
Swedish Medical Center, home of the CNI's Stroke Center, was the first Primary Stroke Center
in the region
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Caregiver & Family Issues
The Importance of Family Support
Your family is often your most important source of long-term support
during recovery and rehabilitation. To get better, you must want to recover
and be independent. Family members can help by providing encouragement,
celebrating improvements and letting the recovering person do as much
as possible independently.
The support of your caregiver is most critical. However, caregivers need
to take care of themselves as well, in order to provide the best care
and support to you.
The following suggestions can help them succeed in this new role:
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Maintaining Health - This
is critical. Caregivers must be sure to get enough sleep and exercise,
eat a proper diet and get prompt medical attention when sick.
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Maintaining Emotional Health
- Caregivers may feel anger, guilt, impatience, helplessness, love
and dislike. They shouldn’t feel guilty, as all these feelings
are normal and common. Talking about these feelings often helps, whether
with a close friend, support group of caregivers, social workers,
clergy or counselors.
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Reaching out to friends and others -
Caregivers shouldn’t neglect their own social needs. Other people
can be an important outlet for feelings and can help share responsibilities
such as housekeeping, preparing meals, shopping, transportation or
other duties.
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Seeking support resources -
A range of services is available through local social service agencies,
both nonprofit and private agencies. Some of these services may be
free, or the cost may be calculated on a sliding scale based on your
caregiver’s ability to pay. They can get additional information
about resources from CNI at (303) 788-4010.
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