Additional care needs
- Megan Campbell, Medical Social Worker
- 5 minute read
- Last updated: September 2023
Stroke and recovery from stroke can be different for each person. You may find that you need more care because of your stroke. The information below details the supports that may be available to help you with your new care needs.
Home support
After a stroke, you may need extra help with your day-to-day activities. You might need help with showering, getting dressed, medication management or meal preparation.
The HSE offers a Home Support Service (previously called the Home Help or Home Care Package scheme). The aim of the Home Support Service is to help people stay in their homes for as long as possible. With the Home Support Service, carers call to your home to help with everyday tasks, like getting in and out of bed, walking, dressing and showering.
These supports are provided by the HSE or by an external care agency approved by the HSE. The Home Support Service is a free service. You don’t need a medical card to apply and it is not means tested.
Home supports are provided based on a care needs assessment. The amount of support you receive will depend on your individual care needs.
How to apply
If you are in hospital and your care needs have increased, a social worker can help you with an application for home supports.
Your stroke team will carry out a care needs assessment to determine your home support needs. Your social worker will complete the application with you and apply to the HSE for home supports based on your care needs assessment and your wishes. The HSE will tell you whether you have been approved for home supports and also what level of support you will get.
If you are no longer in hospital and wish to apply for home supports, you can contact your local public health nurse to request a care needs assessment.
Long-term care
Sometimes a stroke survivor may need more care than they can receive at home. While every effort will be made to support you to be discharged home, it may not be possible. If your care needs are significant and can’t be managed safely at home, your stroke team may discuss the option of long-term care in a nursing home with you.
If long-term care is discussed with you in hospital, the discussion should include a formal meeting with you and someone that you have identified as a support, such as your care partner or family member.
It is your decision whether you want to enter nursing home care, and your wishes must be respected by the team. If you do want to go forward with long-term care, your social worker will help you and your support person with the application process. Your social worker may also provide you with a list of nursing homes and information on how to choose a nursing home.
Fair Deal scheme
You can apply for financial support to help pay for the cost of care in a nursing home. This support is given through the Nursing Home Support Scheme, also known as the Fair Deal scheme. With Fair Deal, you pay a certain contribution towards the cost of your care and the HSE pays the rest. This is based on a financial assessment.
See the link below for more information on the Fair Deal scheme and the application process.
Useful links
Other information
Top Tips
Reach out for help
If you are worried about how you will manage after hospital, speak with your stroke team. Your stroke team is best placed to reassure you and advise you on what you may need when leaving the hospital.
Megan Campbell | Medical Social Worker |
Get support close to home
As well as home supports, there are a wide range of community services that may be available to support you as you recover. Please visit the “Services available” section of this website for further information.
Megan Campbell | Medical Social Worker |
Frequently asked questions
Home support is a free service provided by the HSE. This service is based on your care needs and is not means tested.
If you have been discharged home and feel that you may need some home support, you can discuss this with your public health nurse. They may then carry out a care needs assessment.
Your stroke team will assess your needs after your stroke and determine if you need any extra support. These options will be discussed with you first and will only be acted on with your consent.
