3. Actively participate -- if you can

As a caregiver, you may be able to help by taking an active role in his rehabilitation. Having a caring and supportive person or family member around can make a world of difference. After all, you may be the one person on his team who knows what he was like before the stroke.

But it might not be possible for you to oversee his therapy. Other obligations, such as work or small children, may already take up most of your time. Or perhaps your relationship with the patient -- especially if it's a parent -- is strained and neither of you would benefit from your presence at his appointments. Talk to his care manager and counselor about how involved you can be in his rehabilitation. And try not to feel guilty if you're not able to play a major role: You have your own life, too.

4. Understand the goals of rehabilitation

It's important for you and the person you're caring for to understand that rehabilitation isn't a magical cure. The ultimate goals are to help him regain as much independence as he can and have the best quality of life possible.

In their book Living with Stroke: A Guide for Families, Richard Senelick and Karla Dougherty discuss how realistic rehabilitation goals can make all the difference. Although dead brain cells can't be revived, rehabilitation can teach a patient how to cope with his losses and move forward. A good rehabilitation team should:

• Evaluate a stroke survivor's needs continuously and adjust his rehabilitation plan accordingly
• Watch out for and prevent medical complications
• Provide a structured, consistent, and secure environment
• Teach strategies to compensate for lost abilities
• Encourage progress and focus on the positive
• Stress practical, everyday activities