The Experience of Family Caregiver's n Caring for Post-Stroke Patients at Home During the Pandemic Covid-19

Abstract

Taking care of a family member(s) who suffers from stroke at home especially during the covid-19 pandemic time is unquestionably not easy. This study aimed at exploring the experience of family-caregivers in caring for post-stroke patients at home during the covid-19 pandemic. This qualitative research employed a phenomenological approach with participants consisting of 14 family members who have been caring for post-stroke patients at home during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Pontianak City area. This research began with observation for 3 months which was then followed by interviews and FGDs. The data obtained from the results of in-depth interviews and FGDs were processed using content analysis. The result of his study generated 5 themes regarding the experience of family caregivers in caring for post-stroke patients at home during the Covid-19 pandemic including 1) Changes in caregiver roles, 2) engagement values, 3) spiritual values, 4) Isolation in the surrounding community, 5) The experience of situational anxiety. Considering that both stroke survivors and caregivers of post-stroke patients do not only face several problems and conditions related to stroke and stroke recovery as well as community stigma, but several live scenarios are also provided for them especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, further community reintegration ought to exist in the rehabilitation where it can prepare someone who used to suffer from stroke to have ability to do self-reorganization psychologically, physically and socially.