When someone comes home after a stroke, spinal cord injury or brain injury, the family becomes part of the rehabilitation team — usually with no training. Caregiver training exists to change that: to show you what to do, how to do it safely, and just as importantly what not to attempt on your own.
Why it matters
Most recovery happens between therapy sessions, at home. Families who know how to position, move and encourage a relative safely tend to find daily care less frightening and less physically risky — for the patient and for themselves.
What the training covers
- Safe moving and handling — transfers between bed, chair and wheelchair, protecting your own back
- Positioning — in bed and in a chair, and why position changes matter
- Skin care and pressure-area awareness
- Supporting the exercise programme — what to encourage, how much, and when to stop
- Everyday activities — dressing, washing, eating and moving around the home
- Recognising when something is wrong and who to contact
- Looking after yourself — caregiver fatigue is real and is planned for, not ignored
Where the boundaries are
Families should not attempt techniques they have not been taught and supervised in. Manual handling done incorrectly can injure the person being cared for and the person doing the lifting. Training is hands-on and supervised for exactly this reason, and we will tell you clearly which tasks need two people, equipment, or a professional.
Who it is for
Family members and attendants supporting someone after stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, paralysis or with a progressive condition such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis.
How it is delivered
Training is practical and tailored to the person you are caring for — their abilities, your home, and the equipment you have. It can be arranged around an inpatient or outpatient programme, or alongside home physiotherapy. Format and duration are agreed with you; please contact your nearest centre to discuss what is available there.
Frequently asked questions
When should training start?
Ideally before discharge home, so that the first days are not spent improvising. It can also begin at any later point.
Can more than one family member attend?
Yes, and we would encourage it. Care is rarely sustainable when one person carries all of it.
Will I be taught to do the physiotherapy?
No. You will be taught how to support a programme safely. Assessment and treatment remain the therapist’s role.
Medical disclaimer: this page describes a rehabilitation programme. It is general information, not medical advice, and not a substitute for individual assessment. See our medical disclaimer.
Find an APARC centre near you
APARC Health & Motion has 12 centres across Delhi NCR and Pune. Services, equipment and clinical teams vary by centre — please contact your nearest centre to confirm what is available there.
Further reading
Medically reviewed by Dr Harshita Sharma, MPT · Last reviewed: 2 August 2026 · Our clinical team