The capacity of informal caregivers in the rehabilitation of older people after a stroke

Abstract

Objective. To characterize informal caregivers of dependent older people after a stroke related to aspects of care, and to describe the activities performed and the difficulties faced by these caregivers. 
 Methods. Cross-sectional, descriptive study, held in southern Brazil with 190 informal caregivers of older adults after stroke. The sociodemographic data instrument and the Capacity Scale for Informal Caregivers of Elderly Stroke Patients (ECCIID-AVC), adapted and validated for use in Brazil by Dal Pizzol et al., were used. 
 Results. Most caregivers were women (82.6%) or children (56.3%), had average schooling of 9.6 years, and the majority (68.3%) provided care for people with moderate to severe disability. The main activities carried out included: providing materials and/or support for eating (99%), dressing (98.4%), and administering medications (96.2%). Caregivers had the most difficulty with transferring and positioning activities. 
 Conclusion. Most caregivers have adequate capacity to provide essential care to the dependent older adult after a stroke. However, a significant portion had difficulty in the activities of transferring and positioning the older person due to the lack of guidance regarding the posture to carry out these activities. The assessment of nurses regarding the activities performed and the difficulties faced by caregivers is an important strategy to identify problems and effectively attend to the needs of these individuals at all levels of health care.

Construção e validação de álbum seriado para acompanhantes de pacientes com Acidente Vascular Cerebral

“…Além disso, estudo realizado no sul do Brasil, que descreveu as atividades realizadas e as dificuldades enfrentadas por cuidadores de idosos dependentes pós-AVC, concluiu que a maioria dos cuidadores realizava todas as atividades de cuidado essenciais aos idosos dependentes pós-AVC presentes na Escala de Capacidade para Cuidadores Informais de Pacientes Idosos com AVC (ECCII-D-AVC), referentes à alimentação oral, medicamentos, cuidados com a pele, higiene pessoal, banho, eliminações, vestimentas, transferência e posicionamento. Porém, a maioria dos cuidadores apresentava dificuldades em algumas atividades, devido à falta de orientação adequada (29) .…”

Transition to the Role of Family Caregiver of Older Adults After a Stroke: A Specific Theory

“…The scientific evidence indicates that, based on Nursing therapeutic education, the multidisciplinary team not only develops care-related knowledge and skills but also generates comprehensive well-being in FCs, which is reflected in self-confidence and coping, autonomy and security in their role as caregivers of OAs after a stroke (21,56,73). In this sense, suitable training of caregivers is a key element for self-management in health services and holistic comprehensive services, provided that it can be considered that FCs undergo an effective transition and a healthy role adoption process (54-56, 59, 74).…”

“…-Nursing therapeutic education: It is a comprehensive and complementary intervention based on a multidisciplinary approach (Neurology, Nutrition, Rehabilitation, Social Assistance, Psychology). Its objective is to provide theoretical knowledge and generate care-related skills using didactic methods to prepare FCs before, during and after the hospital-home transition (56,73,78).…”

Construction and validation of a serial album for companions of patients with stroke

“…Furthermore, a study carried out in southern Brazil, which described the activities performed and the difficulties faced by caregivers of post-stroke dependent older adults, concluded that most caregivers performed all essential care activities for post-stroke dependent older adults present in the Capacity Scale for Informal Caregivers of Elderly Stroke Patients (ECCIID-AVC -Escala de Capacidade para Cuidadores Informais de Pacients Idosos com AVC), referring to oral feeding, medication, skin care, personal hygiene, bathing, eliminations, clothing, transfer and positioning. However, most caregivers had difficulties in some activities due to the lack of suitable guidance (29) .…”