Ways you can you manage the emotional response of family members, relatives and carers include:
Communication- Ask the family member how they are feeling and listen carefully to their verbal response and also cues from non verbal behaviours.
Reflect back to the relative what they have told you, this lets them know that you have been listening.
You can help them by letting them know that the way they are feeling is understandable in the context of their relative having a stroke and is part of the process of adjustment.
Help them identify sources of support they have and can access. This can be other family and friends they can speak to and they can also be signposted to other carer support.
Education- Try to answer any questions they have honestly and accurately. They may need more information about stroke and how it’s affected their relative. If unsure arrange for them to speak to someone in the team who can give this information.
Family members who are children should have access to age appropriate information regarding their relative’s stroke.
Page last reviewed: 05 Aug 2021
