Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States. Every year, nearly 795,000 people suffer strokes.

If you have a parent or loved one who is in this position, you may feel helpless and unsure of how to support them. It’s not easy to care for someone who’s had a stroke, but these tips can help you give them the assistance they need to recover and maintain a high quality of life.

1. Understand the Recovery Timeline

First, understand that the stroke recovery timeline isn’t a short one.

Most spontaneous recovery (natural recovery related to brain healing) occurs within the first 30 days after the stroke takes place. However, 80-90 percent of total recovery (including aspects like improved speech and mobility) takes between six months and a year.

Most stroke victims progress from the emergency room to a hospital room, then to a rehabilitation facility. From there, they’ll either receive care at home or in a long-term care facility.

If you want to provide support for a loved one who’s had a stroke, make sure you’re in it for the long haul; they’ll need help for several weeks or months.

2. Find Ways to Communicate

Communication issues are among the biggest problems that people who’ve experienced a stroke struggle with. Strokes often cause speech and language difficulties like dysarthria (poorly articulated speech) and aphasia (difficulty processing and understanding language).

One of the first things you’ll likely need to do to support a loved one after they’ve had a stroke is to find a new way to communicate with them. Many people rely on writing or drawing to communicate their needs. Others use gestures or computer systems.

There’s no one correct method of communication; do some experimentation to figure out what works best for you and your loved one.

3. Provide Emotional Support

Many people who have suffered a stroke experience difficulties with their emotional and mental health. In fact, more than half of stroke victims begin to experience symptoms of depression within a year of their stroke.

Poor mental and emotional health can seriously hinder one’s ability to heal from a stroke, so it’s important to treat symptoms of depression early. Some of the most common symptoms of depression include:

• Feeling unhappy for an extended period of time

• Losing interest in things that they once enjoyed

• Feeling unmotivated

• Lacking energy

• Having difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual

If your loved one is displaying these symptoms, encourage them to seek additional help from a therapist or support group.

4. Invest in Tools that Promote Recovery

There are a number of devices out there that are designed with stroke victims in mind. Some good options that will help your loved one improve their mobility and regain their independence include:

• Therapy putty to improve dexterity and hand strength

• Lift chairs to reduce lower body strain when standing up

• Stationary bikes to improve lower body mobility and strength

• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device for neural stimulation and muscle strengthening

• Adaptive utensils and dishes to make eating and drinking easier

• Walkers, crutches, and canes to improve mobility and make walking easier

• Grab bars for extra support when standing up from a chair or bed

5. Encourage Independence

Make sure you’re not just doing everything for your loved one. They will need extra help, but it’s important to give them opportunities to work independently and make decisions about their care and lifestyle.

Some ways that you can provide support while also encouraging independence include:

• Let them try to do things alone before you jump in

• Ask them if they need help -- don’t just assume that they can’t do things for themselves

• Give them choices and encourage them to be an active participant in making decisions about their care

• Encourage regular exercise -- this will improve strength and mobility and help speed up recovery

• Arrange regular family visits and take them out of the house for activities on a regular basis

6. Provide Caregiver Support

If you’re not the primary caregiver for your loved one, it’s important to make an effort to also support the person who is caring for them. Bring them a home-cooked meal or treat, offer to take over for an afternoon or a few hours so they can have a break, or just listen to them and let them know you care.

If you are the primary caregiver, make sure you’re giving yourself a break from time to time, too. Don’t let your own physical and emotional health fall by the wayside as you care for your loved one. Ask for help, talk about your feelings and frustrations, and remember to eat well, get plenty of sleep, and exercise regularly.