Discharge is the point at which most families feel least prepared. In hospital there are professionals within reach at all hours. At home, that stops — usually with very little notice.
Medically reviewed by Dr Kirti Gupta, MPT
Last reviewed: 2 August 2026 · Our clinical team
What genuinely surprises families
- How tired the person is. Fatigue after stroke is not ordinary tiredness and it does not resolve with a good night’s sleep.
- How much help is needed at first. What looked manageable on a ward can feel very different in a home with stairs and a small bathroom.
- Emotional change. Low mood, irritability, tearfulness and sudden emotional swings are common after stroke, and can be harder for families than the physical changes.
- How quickly a day fills up. Between personal care, exercises, meals and appointments, there may be little time left.
- The gap in therapy. There is often a wait between leaving hospital and community or private therapy starting.
Before discharge — what to arrange
- Ask for a home assessment, or at minimum describe your home and ask what will be difficult
- Confirm equipment — what is needed, who provides it, and when it will arrive
- Get the exercise programme in writing, with what to do daily and what to avoid
- Be shown transfers before you have to do them alone — see safe transfers
- Clarify medication, including what each is for and what to do about missed doses
- Get contact points — who to call for what, in hours and out of hours
- Arrange continuing therapy so there is no gap
The first two weeks at home
Expect an adjustment period. Most families find a workable routine within a fortnight. Keep the day predictable, build activity gradually around fatigue, and do not try to do everything perfectly at once.
Look after yourself too
Caregiver exhaustion is not a side issue — it is the most common reason home care becomes unsustainable. Share the load early rather than when you are already depleted. See caregiver burnout.
Related
Medical disclaimer: this article is general information and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is not a substitute for individual assessment. See our medical disclaimer.