Hope for love: practical advice for intimacy and sex after stroke.

Stroke survivors are a major group of patients served by rehabilitation nurses. The lingering sequelae of a stroke may be devastating to a couple's relationship. This article provides practical advice that nurses can give to a stroke patient and his or her partner to cope with or overcome changes in intimacy and sexuality after a stroke. This article addresses the wide range of changes likely to occur in the patient and his or her partner, and readers are referred to additional resources for the nurse, the patient, and his or her partner. This information provides the tools for nurses to help our patients and their partners maintain their hope for love.