Hi, my name is Alicegirl! Caring for husband after stroke

Alicegirl
Alicegirl Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
edited November 2024 in Families and carers

Hello. I have just started caring for my husband who's had a stroke. He was discharged from a nursing home. I do have carers coming twice daily to help. I'm feeling lost and a bit overwhelmed by it all and would just like to know if anyone is in the same situation. Thanks.

Comments

  • Bluebell21
    Bluebell21 Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 13,842 Championing

    Hello @Alicegirl Welcome to the Community. I am not in the same position as yourself, but I did care for a close family member for several years with a life threatening condition.

    It is overwhelming at first until you get a strict routine in place. None of us are trained for this role and it is the hardest job I have ever done.

    Your whole life is suddenly taken over by your caring role and you seem not to exist anymore outside of this. No one asks how you are just how your husband is.

    It can be very frustrating when you are doing your very best and are exhausted when the person you care for snaps at you because they are feeling frustrated with the life they have been given and are adjusting to it.

    The Stroke Association might be able to help you.

    https://www.stroke.org.uk

    Do you have any help from your family who could give you a break once a week/month so you could have some me time? Perhaps so you could go to the hairdressers or meet up with a friend for a coffee just for a couple of hours. You must care for yourself as well.

    Please take care of yourself. Any questions just ask.

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 1,649 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @Alicegirl and welcome to the community. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. I can understand how it will feel overwhelming for you, and I'm glad you have carers coming in to help take some of the pressure off. Bluebell has already said everything I was going to say but I'd just like to reiterate that it's important for you to have some time to yourself. The community is here for you, whether it's to answer your questions or offer support 😊

  • Alicegirl
    Alicegirl Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

    Hi thanks for your comments which are very helpful and uplifting. I'll certainly take them on board and let you know how things [favourably I hope] are progressing in the following days/weeks,

  • Bluebell21
    Bluebell21 Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 13,842 Championing

    Thank you, we would love to know how things progress in the coming days/weeks. @Alicegirl

    Take care.

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 1,649 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Take care of yourself @Alicegirl. I have hope that things will get better for you 😊 We're always here whenever you need us.

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,155 Championing

    Hi @Alicegirl - I'm just adding my welcome to that of others. How long ago did your husband have a stroke? Also as a long-retired physio who has treated many stroke patients, may I ask if he's received any physio, which can help?

    This is a very supportive community, as I'm sure you'll find 😊

  • Alicegirl
    Alicegirl Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

    Hi chiarieds. He had his stroke a couple of months ago. He walks with a frame. His speech is not good. He knows what he wants to say but can't get the right words out. He's lost a lot of muscle strength but has had no physio.

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