Stroke care in the home: the impact of social support on the general health of family caregivers

Abstract

Findings of this study affirmed that stroke care needs exceed the hospital boundary. Professional support to family caregivers is essential so as to sustain home care and protect the caregiver's health. This is particular important during the first 12 weeks transitional period after hospital discharge. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE. This study highlighted the implications of social support to nursing practice, especially in predischarge planning and community care. Findings of this study may provide information and data for service planning and community resources co-ordination to support community stroke care.

Measures of Psychological Stress and Physical Health in Family Caregivers of Stroke Survivors

“…Only a few studies delineated between appraised quality of social support and frequency and amount of social support. For example, Sit et al (2004), in a study of family caregivers of stroke survivors during the first 12 weeks following stroke, incorporated measures of social support that included emotional support, tangible support, informational support, and social companionship. For each of these components, information about the level of different types of support received, number and persons providing support, and the individual's subjective appraisal of the quality of support were assessed.…”

Supporting carers through intelligent technology

“…Emotional support entails empathy and reassurance, reinforcing the individual's self-worth. Practical support is the provision of material or assistance to solve a problem [14]. Current support provision is summarized in Table 1.…”

Long-term outcomes of stroke rehabilitation: patients and informal caregivers

“…To put this into practice, the social context and the family system ner/spouse are the first choice for the caregiver role, followed by children and grandchildren and further relatives and friends . Beside the relationship factors, the proportion of female informal caregivers is greater than of males Sit, et al, 2007). Several changes in the actual life situation are implied for those next of kin adopting the caregiver role .…”

“…Both the stroke survivor and the informal caregiver may experience uncertainty about the diseases trajectory, its possible implications on the stroke survivor and the care interventions necessary (Sit, Wong, Clinton, Li, & Fong, 2004 alters the family structure in that the survivor has to abandon his or her pre-stroke role and come to terms with being dependent. The consequences of stroke on the family system cannot be prevented.…”