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Course

Caregiver essentials (Intro)

A practical starter course for caregivers: keeping the person safe at home, avoiding common complications (falls, swallowing risk), building routines, and protecting caregiver wellbeing

CaregiverCaregiverIntro75 minPlain (6–8)

Educational only

Educational only — follow the discharge plan and clinician guidance. For emergencies, call local emergency services.

Get help now

Call emergency services immediately for new sudden weakness, speech trouble, severe headache, new confusion, seizure, or breathing trouble. If choking or severe breathing difficulty occurs, follow local emergency guidance.

What you'll learn

  • Set up a safer home environment and reduce fall risk
  • Recognize swallowing warning signs and know when to escalate
  • Create simple routines for meds, appointments, and rehab practice
  • Reduce caregiver burnout risk with realistic supports

5 lessons in this course

  1. 1Caregiving fundamentals after stroke (tracking + communication)Caregiver fundamentals system: minimal tracking setup (meds/appointments/symptoms), clinician communication scripts, mini-quiz, and question-picking game12 min
  2. 2Home safety checklist (stroke-ready home)A comprehensive home safety checklist: lighting, rugs, stairs, bathroom supports, pathways, emergency plan, and medication organization10 min
  3. 3Swallowing safety quick guide (dysphagia) — red flags + what to ask SLPQuick swallowing safety guide: aspiration red flags, oral care reminder, and questions to ask the SLP team6 min
  4. 4Falls after stroke: risk, prevention, and when to use alerts (StrokeSiren concept module)Falls after stroke module: why risk increases, prevention checklist, and decision guide for check-ins/alerts with safety-first framing (no product claims)12 min
  5. 5Caregiver burnout and mental health (support map + respite)Caregiver burnout prevention module: burnout signs, support map template, weekly respite plan, help-request scripts, and a quick practice game12 min

Lesson sequence

  • 1. Caregiving fundamentals (what changes, what helps)
  • 2. Home safety checklist + bathroom/bedroom setup
  • 3. Swallowing safety quick guide (red flags + what to do)
  • 4. Falls: prevention + when to use alerts
  • 5. Caregiver burnout: early signs + support plan

Capstone

  • Build a ‘home safety + escalation’ plan
  • Write 5 questions for the care team

Practice check

Check your understanding

A few untimed questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback, then continue to the next lesson.

0 of 3 answered

Question 1

1. If coughing with meals starts suddenly after stroke, it may be a swallowing safety warning sign and should be discussed urgently with the care team.

Question 2

2. A high-impact fall-prevention step at home is…

Question 3

3. A common early caregiver burnout sign is…

References

  1. NICE logo
    NICE
    Stroke rehabilitation in adults (NG236) — recommendations
  2. American Stroke Association logo
    American Stroke Association
    Dysphagia (trouble swallowing after stroke)