American Stroke Foundation

This video will help caregivers understand the impact of role changes post-stroke on family dynamics and relationships and offer ways to address these role changes appropriately and constructively.

• Role reversals are taxing on child-parent relationships
• Authority shift
• Lack of proper supports
• “Sandwich Generation” caregiving

• Practice compassion in this role
• Recognize and validate your loved one’s feelings
• Focus on the positives
• Create support systems

• Honest conversations
• Meet your own needs and learn to say “no” or ask for help
• Have a deep respect for one another
• Take good care of yourself
• Avoid secrets and guilt trips

• Shift in homemaking responsibilities
• Changing who manages finances
• Sexuality and intimacy issues
• Marital issues arise
• Short term relationships (<5 years) are jeopardized
• Spouses feel like they are living with a “stranger”
• Cognitive and behavioral issues

• Marriage is one of the greatest predictors of health and longevity
• Have patience
• Compatible role changes are shaped by marital communication
• Intimacy may change, but it is not lost

• Embrace the role changes
• Communicate effectively
• Ask for help
• Take time for yourself
• Continue to grow in your marriage and relationship

• An under researched population
• Becoming increasingly more common
• Strong existential component

• Treat your children as adults
  • Loss of autonomy at a young age
  • Loss of job, family, home, etc.
• Honest and open conversations
• Avoid reverting to old roles (parent v. child dynamic)
• Create a mutual enjoyment
• Create spaces for yourself and your child

Family conflict/dysfunction is common due to discrepancy between expectations of family members.

• Identify the issue
• Be honest
• Use “I” statements
• Value everyone’s ideas and opinions
• Consider counseling
• Share responsibility

• Change is HARD
• Ask for assistance and guidance
• Take care of yourself
• Appreciate yourself