5. Have realistic expectations

One of the most difficult aspects of stroke recovery to grapple with is the uncertainty. The course of a patient's rehabilitation probably won't be steady; most stroke survivors have periods of rapid progress punctuated by plateaus. And it's impossible to predict what the future will hold.

That said, if you expect him to recover completely, you're probably setting yourself up for disappointment. Talk to the members of the rehabilitation team about his prognosis for recovery. And don't just talk to them about it once: Revisit the subject every few months. One thing that's certain is that rehabilitation is a fluid process. You, the person in your care, and the rest of the rehabilitation team should expect to reevaluate his program -- and your expectations -- on a regular basis.

6. Try to stay positive

It's normal to mourn for what's been lost, but everyone also has to move forward. Encourage the patient to do his exercises and make the most of his therapy appointments. Celebrate his successes, no matter how small. Although it's not easy to maintain a cheerful disposition in the face of such a difficult situation, your positive outlook will rub off on the person you're caring for.

Of course, it's impossible to be positive and upbeat at all times. But bottling up your feelings of anxiety and sadness will ultimately take a toll on your own physical and emotional health. Joining a support group for stroke caregivers might give your emotions an outlet and allow you to connect with other caregivers. For more information on finding a support group, see "5 Ways to Connect with Other Stroke Caregivers."

Sources:

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/poststrokerehab.htm#**

http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=REHABT

http://www.naric.com

http://www.aphasia.org

http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3021943