From Nurse to Family Caregiver:
Navigating the Gaps in Care
For over four decades as a nurse, I dedicated myself to my patients. I’d give the patient’s family opportunities for questions, help, and education. Patient care, I learned, was my most important task.
My role shifted from nurse to caregiver after my husband’s stroke in 2021. My feelings and thoughts have completely depleted me, and I am overwhelmed. The medical staff was wonderful; like me, they moved on after their questions.
Following weeks of observation, I saw my vital role in my husband’s recovery, but found little support or resources for caregivers. As a caregiver, I sought someone to understand my situation. Because of my medical background and caregiving role, I understood how to help, which led to the founding of Stroke Caregiver Connection.
Medical professional to medical professional
“The information I provide is based on personal caregiving experience and caregiver education. Although I am a retired nurse, I am not providing medical advice. Always consult your healthcare team for medical guidance.”
What’s missing for caregivers?
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What’s missing for caregivers? *
Lack hands on, real life caregiver education. Expected to handle mobility, medications, transfers, swallowing issues, cognition, and behavior changes. Currently given a few pamphlets and set home with “Please call if you have questions”
Lack of knowledge regarding health care navigation. They manage appointments, specialist, insurance and equipment in a very complex system.
Lack of emotional support. This is a brand new role which by its nature increases stress, depression, grief and isolation. Support is focus on the patient and not the support system - caregiver.
Lack of respite care. Most caregivers are on 24/7 with rarely getting breaks. Finding affordable, accessible and trustworthy respite care is challenging.
Lack of clear financial guidance and protection. Many are suddenly needed to quit jobs, struggle with insurance, the patient is unable to work and disability benefits.
Lack of true inclusion with the healthcare team. The caregiver knows the patient best, sees problems first and can prevent complications and readmission if part of the team.
Lack of caregiver personal care. When we see a stroke patient, we now have two patients needing care. If the caregiver becomes ill, who will provide the care.
Lack of one trusted, simple step-by-step support system. They have decision fatigue and need a clear “what do I di next?” Currently, resources are disconnected.
How Stroke Caregiver Connection can help you address their needs…
Caregiver-focused books and training resources designed specifically to:
Prepare family caregivers for real-world, at-home stroke care
Reinforce and extend what families are taught in the hospital
Reduce overwhelm, prevent common setbacks, and improve follow-through
Support better long-term outcomes and caregiver confidence
I would love to explore how my books and training could support your:
Discharge planning and stroke education programs
Patient and family education initiatives
Community outreach or caregiver support efforts
These resources are designed to complement your clinical care by giving families something they can actually use once they’re home.
Stroke Caregiver Connection partners with hospitals, organizations, and health professionals to support family caregivers through education, discharge preparation, coaching, and ongoing support. We provide caregiver training, workshops, support groups, and practical tools that help families confidently care for stroke survivors at home—reducing readmissions, improving outcomes, and improving caregiver readiness and satisfaction.
Lana Wilhelm is the founder of Stroke Caregiver Connection, caregiver advocate, and author dedicated to transforming how families are supported after stroke.
While medical systems focus on acute care and rehab, Lana’s work addresses what happens after families go home—when caregivers are suddenly responsible for complex daily care, rehabilitation support, medical coordination, and emotional survival, often with little preparation or support.
Through powerful, practical, and deeply relatable presentations, Lana helps audiences:
Understand the real challenges caregivers face after stroke
Learn how to better support family caregivers and improve outcomes
Recognize the hidden gaps in the current system of care
Gain practical tools, frameworks, and strategies that can be used immediately
See caregivers not just as helpers—but as essential partners in recovery
Popular Audiences
Hospitals and stroke centers
Rehab facilities and therapy teams
Nonprofits and community organizations
Caregiver support groups
Conferences and professional trainings
Topics Lana Speaks On
The hidden crisis facing stroke caregivers
How better caregiver support improves patient outcomes
What families really need after discharge
Preventing caregiver burnout before it happens
How to close the caregiver support gap
Turning overwhelmed family members into confident caregivers
Each talk can be tailored to your audience—whether clinical, community-based, or caregiver-focused.
