Article

Stroke caregivers have been identified as a group at high risk for poor
outcomes as a result of the suddenness of stroke and a potentially high level of
care needed due to significant functional limitations of the patient. However,
there is little research on the assessment of family members who will assume the
caregiving role prior to patient discharge from rehabilitation. The purpose of
this article is to delineate critical assessment domains identified by a subset
of spousal stroke caregivers. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted
pre- and post-discharge from rehabilitation as part of a larger study that
focused on identifying caregiver and stroke survivor needs as they transitioned
home from inpatient rehabilitation. For this study, two semi-structured
interviews with 14 spousal caregivers were analyzed using grounded theory
methods. RESULTS: Long-term stroke survivor outcomes were dependent upon the
commitment, capacity and preparedness of the family caregiver. Twelve domains of
assessment were identified and presented. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive,
systematic caregiver assessment to understand the caregiver's concerns about
stroke should be conducted during rehabilitation to help the team to develop a
plan to address unmet needs and better prepare family caregivers to take on the
caregiving role. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Stroke is a sudden event that
often leaves stroke survivors and their families in crisis. The needs of stroke
family caregivers are not often systematically assessed as part of inpatient
rehabilitation. Long-term stroke survivor outcomes are dependent upon the
commitment, capacity and preparedness of the family caregiver. Stroke caregiver
assessment should include the commitment, capacity and preparedness to provide
care, and the overall impact of stroke in order to develop discharge plans that
will adequately address the needs of the stroke survivor/caregiver dyad.

Langue : ANGLAIS