Quick summary

If your family member or close friend has recently had a stroke, you're probably still reeling. Not only do you have to come to terms with her acute illness and possible disability, you have to make plans for the future. Will she be able to return to her former living situation, or will you need to arrange for more care? Should you move her into your own home or a long-term care facility? And how do you manage the feelings and needs of your other family members, including kids?

Deciding how much care someone will need isn't easy. One of the most frustrating aspects of stroke is that there's no magical formula or timeline for recovery: Life after stroke means coming to terms with uncertainty. But once you have a reasonably good idea of the patient's prognosis, you can at least begin doing some research and weighing the pros and cons of different options.

Armed with this information, you'll be able to make an informed decision about what's best not only for the patient, but also for you and the rest of your family.