A Day in Stroke Care: What It Looks Like for Me

Throughout this series, I've talked about strokes, recovery, and caregiving.

For this one, I want to show you what that actually looks like in my day-to-day work.

I work with a couple of clients who have had strokes. I'm not going to share identifying information or the specifics of their care, but I can share some of the things I do.

Because stroke care isn't always big medical-looking moments.

A lot of the time, it's just everyday life.

We Start With Today

One of the first things I pay attention to is:

How are you doing today?

Maybe yesterday was a great day, but today they're tired and don't have the same strength.

That's okay.

Recovery isn't linear, and I don't expect every day to look exactly like the one before it.

We work with what we've got today.

Getting Ready

Even getting dressed is an opportunity to keep someone involved in their own life.

I don't just walk into the closet and pick something.

I'll ask:

"What color are we thinking?"

"Are we wanting comfy or nice?"

"T-shirt or something else?"

Then we go from there.

It seems small, but it's their clothes and their body.

Having a stroke doesn't mean someone suddenly stops having preferences.

Needing help doesn't mean you stop getting a say.

The same goes for showers and other personal cares.

If you can safely do part of it yourself, I want you to do it.

I'll help with what you need help with.

I Let Them Try

This is probably one of the biggest parts of how I care.

If someone can safely participate in something, I don't automatically do it for them just because I'm faster.

Sometimes that means waiting.

Sometimes it means letting them reposition and try again.

Sometimes they try and then look at me like, Kayla, I need help.

Okay. Then I help.

But I want them to have the opportunity first.

The amount of assistance someone needs can also change from day to day.

I Notice the Little Things

One of my favorite parts of working with stroke clients is noticing progress they don't always notice themselves.

Maybe I didn't have to help as much with a transfer.

Maybe they stood a little longer.

Maybe they're moving something more than they used to.

Maybe something that took several attempts a few months ago happened on the first try today.

Those things matter.

And sometimes I have to remind them:

I know today was rough. But look at where you were three months ago.

Maybe standing was hard today.

But three months ago, you couldn't stand.

When you're living with recovery every single day, you don't always notice those little changes.

But I see them.

Their kids see them.

Their spouse or family sees them.

Sometimes we have to remind them how far they've actually come.

Not Everything Has to Feel Like Therapy

We're also going to talk.

We're going to laugh.

We're going to get ready for the day.

We're going to do normal things around the house.

Someone recovering from a stroke doesn't need every minute of their life to revolve around having had a stroke.

They're still a person.

My clients aren't just "stroke patients."

And I'm their caregiver, not their physical therapist.

I follow their care plan and the recommendations of their healthcare and rehabilitation professionals. I'm not there to create exercises, change transfer methods, or decide they don't need equipment anymore.

My role is to support them in their everyday life.

Some Days Are Just Hard

Not every day comes with a big win.

Sometimes they're tired.

Sometimes their body isn't cooperating.

Sometimes something hurts.

Sometimes we need more assistance than we did yesterday.

So we adjust.

One rough day doesn't erase months of progress.

Tomorrow, we try again.

What Stroke Care Looks Like to Me

Day-to-day stroke care isn't about doing everything for someone.

It's asking what they want to wear.

Giving them an extra minute to try.

Helping when they need help.

Noticing when they need a little less help than they used to.

Celebrating the little wins.

Keeping them safe.

Protecting their dignity.

And sometimes reminding them:

"I know you don't see the difference yet. But I do."

That's a big part of what caregiving looks like for me.

— Kayla

Emergency & Medical Disclaimer

This blog describes my personal experience as a non-medical caregiver and is for general educational purposes only. Every stroke survivor has different abilities, precautions, equipment, and care needs. Individual care, transfers, mobility assistance, exercises, and other rehabilitation needs should follow the person's healthcare and rehabilitation team.

If you or someone around you develops new or sudden signs or symptoms of a stroke, call 911 immediately, even if they have had a previous stroke. Do not wait for symptoms to improve or disappear.