Patterns of informal care among Puerto Rican, African American, and white stroke survivors

Abstract

Background. There has been an increase in the number of non-institutionalized stroke survivors over the past few decades leading to larger numbers of family caregivers. Less is known about the patterns of informal caregiving within racially and ethnically diverse families even though there is greater post-stroke morbidity and mortality for these groups. Research aims. The purpose of our research is to examine the informal caregiving networks of white, African American, and Puerto Rican caregivers. Methodology. We examine data collected from 118 stroke survivors and caregivers to explore the dynamics of caregiving. Data are drawn from a diverse group of whites, African Americans, and Puerto Ricans living on the US Mainland and Puerto Rico at three different time points over the course of 12 months. Analysis. We examine the size, stability, change, and family dynamics of informal caregiving networks. Findings and implications. We find that whites, African Americans, and Puerto Ricans each have differing caregiving structures highlighted by expansion and contraction across time, size of network, and relationship to the stroke survivor. Greater cultural awareness among health professionals can lead to improved coordination of information or formal care services. These findings may also be used as a baseline for understanding the caregiving patterns of other Spanish-speaking Caribbean nations.