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Stroke recovery support · Western Sydney
Getting back to everyday life after a stroke
Skillwise supports adults after a stroke across Rooty Hill, Blacktown, Mount Druitt, St Marys and Penrith. We help with daily routines, home tasks and community goals, working alongside your rehab and therapy team.
An estimated 440,481 people with a history of stroke were living in Australia in 2023.
Source: Stroke Foundation
In 2023, 1 in 4 strokes in Australia happened to people under 65.
Source: Stroke Foundation
About half of stroke survivors experience fatigue.
Source: Stroke Foundation
Understanding stroke recovery
Life after a stroke
A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off and brain cells are damaged. How it affects someone depends on the type of stroke, which part of the brain was affected, how much damage there was, and the person’s health before the stroke.
Common effects include weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, understanding, reading or writing, changes to thinking and memory, and fatigue. Some people also notice changes in mood or behaviour. Many of these effects are hard for other people to see.
Stroke does not only happen to older people, and life after stroke often means finding new ways to do familiar things. Patient, steady support at home and in the community helps people build confidence and get back to what they value.
Everyday life
The everyday side of stroke recovery
The effects of a stroke are different for everyone, and many show up in ordinary moments of the day. These are areas people often find harder, and how our support can help.
Fatigue and pacing
About half of stroke survivors experience fatigue. We plan activities for when you have the most energy, break tasks into steps with rest in between, and spread jobs across the day and the week.
Speaking and understanding
A stroke can make speaking, understanding, reading or writing harder. We slow down, keep sentences short, use pictures or writing when it helps, and follow tips from your speech pathologist.
Memory and thinking
Changes to thinking and memory are common after a stroke. We help you use reminders, checklists and simple routines for meals, shopping, bills and appointments, and practise them until they stick.
Mood and motivation
The Stroke Foundation says one in two survivors will get depression and one in four will get anxiety. We encourage the things you enjoy and, with your consent, let your doctor or family know if you seem low.
Driving and getting around
You must not drive for at least 4 weeks after a stroke, and you need to tell your licensing authority. Your doctor helps decide when you can drive again. Until then, we can help you get where you need to go.
Getting back to work
Fatigue can last longer than you expect, and returning to work may mean changes to your duties or hours. If work is your goal, we help with routines, travel and settling in, alongside your rehab team.
How we help
How Skillwise supports you
Every support is planned around your goals and what your NDIS plan funds. Start with what you need now, and change it as your plan grows.
Support at home
Help with standard personal care, meals and daily routines, giving you time to do as much as you can yourself while staying safe. Personal care →
Relearning everyday tasks
Practise cooking, shopping, managing money and using reminders. We break tasks into steps and help you use the strategies your therapists suggest. Daily living & life skills →
Getting to appointments and out
Support to travel to rehab appointments, the shops or social plans, including planning routes and getting used to public transport again. Travel & transport →
Returning to work
If work is a goal, we support you to prepare, travel to work and settle back in, working with your employer and any employment service you use. Employment support →
Living at home
Support at home and in SIL
Most people go home after a stroke, and the right support can make home life safer and more independent. We can visit at set times to help with standard personal care, meals, household tasks and getting out, giving you time to do as much as you can yourself and using the strategies your therapists suggest.
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is NDIS funding for support workers to help or supervise you 24 hours a day, often in a shared home. It may suit people who need someone with them around the clock, including overnight, and help with daily activities for at least 8 of those hours. SIL is designed to build skills and independence. It cannot be used for rent or day-to-day costs like groceries. Skillwise is a registered SIL provider.
Families and carers
When someone you love has had a stroke
A stroke changes life for the whole family. The Stroke Foundation notes that family members and carers can get depression and anxiety too, so your wellbeing matters. With the survivor’s consent, we keep you updated, share what is working and take some of the daily tasks off your plate.
StrokeLine, run by the Stroke Foundation, lets anyone talk to a health professional for advice on 1800 787 653. Carer Gateway offers counselling, coaching, peer support and respite for carers on 1800 422 737.
Tip 1
Give time to answer and only finish sentences if you are asked to
Tip 2
Let your family member do what they can, even when it is slower
Tip 3
Watch for low mood that lasts most days for more than two weeks
Tip 4
Call StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 for advice and support
Good to know
What good support looks like
What we don’t provide. Skillwise does not provide rehabilitation, therapy (physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech pathology) or nursing, and we do not provide high intensity care such as tube (PEG) feeding, support for severe swallowing difficulties or catheter care. We work alongside your rehab, therapy and health team.
- Time to do things yourself, instead of having them done for you
- Clear, simple communication when speaking or understanding is harder
- Activities planned around your energy, with rest built in
- Regular updates for you, your family and your treating team, with your consent
NDIS funding
Stroke and NDIS funding
To apply for the NDIS, you must be younger than 65 on the day you make your application, and the NDIA decides whether you are eligible. If you are 65 or older, the NDIS points people to aged care services instead. If you have a plan, Core supports help with everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning and personal care, and with getting involved in social and community activities.
Capacity Building supports are for building independence and skills, including employment supports that help you find and keep a job. Some funding is flexible, while stated supports can only be used as described. Every plan is different, so we never promise what your plan will cover. We are happy to look at your plan with you and talk through which supports Skillwise can provide.
How it works
Getting started with Skillwise
Four simple steps. Bring a family member, carer or support coordinator along if you like.
1. Call or send a referral
Ring 0474 151 264 or make a referral online. We usually reply within one business day.
2. A friendly first chat
We talk about your goals, your daily routine and any health, behaviour support or mealtime plans you already have.
3. Your plan, explained
We go through your NDIS plan and service agreement in plain words, in the language that suits you.
4. Support that fits you
We match you with support workers who suit you, and keep checking in as your needs change.
Kind words
What participants and families tell us
Skillwise made our NDIS experience simple and stress-free. Their team truly listens and supports us every step of the way. I always feel my daughter is in safe and caring hands.
The Skillwise team helps me live more independently and with confidence. They are patient, respectful and always ready to assist. I’ve grown so much since joining their support program.
Skillwise staff treat me like family. They’re kind, reliable and genuinely care about my goals. Their support has made a real difference in my daily life.
Questions
Stroke recovery NDIS support: common questions
Can’t see your question? Call us on 0474 151 264 and talk to a real person.
Can I get NDIS support after a stroke?
You may be eligible if your stroke has left a permanent disability that substantially affects daily life and you meet the NDIS age and residency rules. Your treating team can help with evidence. If you already have a plan, we can talk about which supports fit it.
Do you provide stroke rehabilitation?
No. Rehabilitation comes from your hospital, rehab service or private therapists. Skillwise helps with everyday living and community goals between sessions, and supports you to use the strategies your therapists recommend in daily life.
How do you support someone who has trouble speaking after a stroke?
We slow down, use short sentences and give you time to answer. We can use pictures, writing, gestures or a communication app, and with your permission we ask your speech pathologist for tips. Trouble finding words never means we stop asking what you want.
Is fatigue after a stroke normal?
Fatigue is very common after stroke. The Stroke Foundation says about half of survivors experience it. We plan shifts around your energy, with rest breaks and harder tasks at your best time of day. Talk to your doctor if your fatigue is getting worse.
Can you help my family too?
Our support is for you, and families are welcome in planning if you want them there. We can share updates, agree on how we keep in touch, and take some daily tasks off your family’s plate.
I am over 65. Can I get NDIS support after a stroke?
To be eligible, you must be younger than 65 on the day you make your NDIS application. If you are 65 or older, the NDIS points people to aged care services instead. If you already have an NDIS plan, call us on 0474 151 264 to talk about your supports.
When can I drive again after a stroke?
The Stroke Foundation says you must not drive for at least 4 weeks after a stroke, or 2 weeks after a TIA, with longer periods for commercial licences. You must tell your licensing authority, and your doctor helps decide when you are safe to drive. Until then, we can help you get around.
Can my support be in a language other than English?
Yes, where we can match it. Our team speaks English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Arabic, Dari and Pashto. If speaking or understanding is harder after your stroke, a worker who speaks your first language may help. Tell us your preference when you call.
More help
Organisations that can help
Stroke Foundation: Stroke information and StrokeLine, where anyone can talk to a health professional. Phone 1800 787 653.
EnableMe: Free Stroke Foundation website with stroke information, videos, tools and forums for survivors and carers.
Carer Gateway: Counselling, coaching, peer support and respite for carers. Phone 1800 422 737, weekdays 8am to 5pm.
Other conditions
We also support
Skillwise supports people with a range of disabilities across Western Sydney. See all conditions we support.
Supports we provide
Ten ways we can help
From daily living at home to work, community and life changes, find the support that fits your NDIS plan.
Get started
Take the next step with us
Call us, send a referral or drop into our Rooty Hill office. We’re open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm, and our team speaks English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Arabic, Dari and Pashto.