Who can help me?
Many people can help you manage your money after a stroke. You may already use some of them. Perhaps you have an accountant or a lawyer. Perhaps you have a financial planner or an insurance agent.

If you have a job, your employer may be able to help. Your friends and family members also can help. So can the social worker at the hospital. Here are some things other people can help you do. Put a check mark next to the items with which you would like help. Click here for print-friendly version.

• Call my employer for me.
• Find my important financial and legal papers.
• Write out checks to pay my bills.
• Help me set up automatic bill payments for my regular monthly bills.
• Balance my checkbook.
• Make deposits into my checking account.
• Apply for disability benefits.
• Go to important meetings with me.
• Call the businesses to which I owe money and ask for more time to pay the bills (if necessary).
• Set up a monthly spending plan (also called a budget).
• Talk to the insurance company about my medical bills.
• Make sure I get reimbursement for the medical care I need.
• Suggest ways to cut my expenses.
• Find transportation if I cannot drive.
• Find a new place to live if I decide to move.
• Make sure no one takes advantage of me.
• Help me make a will and appoint a power of attorney.
• Help me make decisions about my money.

Can you think of other things related to your money that you would like to ask someone to help you do?

—People who can help

What if I'm uncomfortable
asking people for help?
It’s hard to ask others for help, especially if you have always been very independent. It is good to be independent. But when you get the help you need, you will have more energy left over to take care of yourself. And giving your friends and family members a chance to help will make them feel good. It will help them be prepared if you get sick again in the future.

When people want to help, say yes. At the same time, try to take care of some things yourself. If you are able to, you should stay in charge of your money, just as you should stay in charge of your health.