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It is important for friends and family members to visit the stroke survivor, whether in the rehabilitation facility, hospital, nursing care facility, or at home, in order to combat the loneliness and depression which the survivor may experience. Relaxing with the survivor, playing cards, watching television, and doing things the survivor enjoys are some of the activities that can be done at home. The patient may also enjoy being taken out to visit friends, movies, get-togethers, community affairs and other venues. The level of social activity must be appropriate for the patient since too much exertion can exacerbate fatigue and discourage the survivor, while too little can lead to feelings like loneliness and depression.

Poststroke depression has an enormous impact on the stroke survivor, family, caregiver, and friends and affects many aspects of rehabilitation and recovery including:

• Poor functional outcome
• Poor cognitive function
• Increased mortality
• Increased functional dependence on others (caregiver, family, friends)
• Severe physical disability
• Reduced social activities and contacts
• Reduced response to rehabilitation
• Poor language and communication skills
• Longer hospitalizations

If someone in the survivor's environment notices signs of depression, they should seek help through members of the rehabilitation team, such as the psychologist or social worker, so that the patient can begin treatment as soon as possible. Without this, the future prospects of recovery for the patient will be reduced.