Article

Programmes that address stroke family caregiver needs and skill-building
are recommended based on the literature and patient care guidelines for stroke
rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to explore patterns of perceived
needs and skill-building during a stroke caregiver intervention programme.
METHOD: Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data from 123 stroke
caregivers enrolled in the intervention group of a randomised controlled clinical
trial. Caregivers received eight weekly telephone sessions,
with a booster
session a month later. At each session, the Caregiver Needs and Concerns
Checklist (CNCC) was used to identify and prioritise current needs that were then
addressed through skill-building strategies. RESULTS: Perceived needs changed
over time. Information about stroke was the highest priority need during Session
1. Managing survivor emotions and behaviours was the highest priority for
Sessions 2 through 4. Caregivers generally waited until Sessions 5 through 9 to
address their own emotional and physical health needs. Physical and instrumental
care needs were relatively low but stable across all nine sessions.
Skill-building was consistently high, though it peaked during Sessions 2 and 3.
CONCLUSIONS: Tracking patterns of needs and skill-building suggest appropriate
timing for targeting different types of family caregiver support during stroke
rehabilitation. Implications for Rehabilitation Family caregivers of stroke
survivors play an essential role in the rehabilitation process of the stroke
survivor. Identifying and addressing the priority needs and concerns of stroke
caregivers during the early discharge period enables caregivers to provide
sustained support for the stroke survivor. Rehabilitation professionals are in a
key position to address evolving caregiver needs and concerns as they transition to home settings with follow-up care.
- Proches aidants

Langue : ANGLAIS