Live-in care after a stroke

Often within 48 hours of your first call, so care can be ready for the day your loved one leaves hospital or a rehabilitation unit. Tell us the expected discharge date as early as you can, even if it may change. We'll ask about mobility, communication, swallowing and equipment, introduce a matched carer, and agree a start that fits the discharge plan, so your loved one comes home to support that's already in place.

Yes. Recovery after a stroke depends on practising the exercises and routines set by the physiotherapist, occupational therapist and speech and language therapist every day. A live-in carer encourages and supports those routines, helps with safe moving, and builds independence rather than doing everything for your loved one. Carers do not provide physiotherapy or speech therapy themselves, but they follow the therapists' plan and tell them how things are going.

Swallowing problems are common after a stroke. Carers prepare food and drinks to the texture advice given by the speech and language therapist, such as soft or minced foods and thickened drinks, help your loved one sit upright and eat slowly, and allow plenty of time at meals. They watch for coughing or choking and tell you or the health team straight away if they're worried, so the plan can be reviewed.

Live-in care for stroke recovery starts from £1,090 a week paid to the carer, plus our weekly agency fee of £250, and a one-off registration fee of £250. The household also provides the carer's food and a private room. The exact weekly rate depends on how much help is needed, especially at night, and we confirm it after a free assessment call, with no long contracts. Some people qualify for council funding, Attendance Allowance or NHS Continuing Healthcare. Our cost page and cost calculator show how live-in care compares with a care home.

Yes. Many couples choose live-in care so they can stay together at home after a stroke. One carer supports the partner who's recovering and takes pressure off the other partner, who often becomes the main family carer overnight. Care for a couple starts from £1,350 a week plus the agency fee. If both partners need a lot of help, we'll talk honestly about whether one carer is enough.

Yes. If your loved one has aphasia or slurred speech after a stroke, the carer will be patient, give time to answer, and use the strategies the speech and language therapist recommends, such as yes/no questions, pictures or writing. Being with the same carer every day helps, because they quickly learn your loved one's way of communicating. The carer also helps them stay connected with family and friends by phone or video calls.

Medicare People currently provides introductory live-in care services. We have submitted our application to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and intend to introduce a fully managed live-in care service following registration. As an introductory agency, we find, check and introduce self-employed live-in carers, and the family agrees the day-to-day care with the carer directly. Before any introduction we carry out right-to-work, DBS and reference checks and interview every carer. Our team stays in touch after the carer starts, arranges relief cover for breaks and holidays, and finds a replacement carer if the match isn't working.