Going home after stroke

Submitted by Emma Hamilton on Tue, 28/06/2011 - 10:54pm

Caring for a family member after stroke can be possible with the help of home care services.

Getting help at home after stroke

An aged care assessment team will be able to help you find suitable aged care services. These home care services support ageing people and their carers at home by helping with personal care, meals and shopping.

A family member may be eligible for government home care programs including Home and Community Care (HAAC) Programs or Community Aged Care Packages (CACP).

Home care services also include private nursing and domestic agencies. A social worker can help you organise the services you need before leaving the hospital. Alternatively you can ring private nursing agencies directly.

Before a person can go home after a stroke changes may need to be made to accommodate wheelchairs or lifting equipment. Home modification can make a carers job easier and promote independence.

An occupational therapist can recommend the installation of ramps; grab rails or lifting equipment to help you safely care for someone after a stroke.

What to consider before going home

Before leaving the hospital make sure you ask members of your stroke team the following questions. A doctor, physiotherapist or social worker should be able to help you.

What treatments need to be continued? What specialists must I organise to see and how often? What outpatient services are on offer and how do I organise these?
What home care aids will I need to purchase?
How can I organise home modification?
What walking or lifting equipment do I need?
How much help does the person need with daily care tasks?
What type of outside help do I need to organise?
What support groups can I contact?
What kind of exercise program is most suitable?
What communication aids may help?

Who can help?

Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT) are located at local hospitals and can help with organising home nursing services.
Call the Commonwealth Carelink Centre for information on home care programs, nursing care and home modification services in your area on 1800 052 052.
Contact your local council for information about senior services in your area.
For information about stroke and support caring for someone after stroke visit The National Stroke Foundation or Call The Strokeline 1800 787 653.
Talk to The Independent Living Centre in your state about assistive devices and equipment to help care for someone at home.