Abstract
Recovery after stroke is often incomplete and many stroke survivors depend on family caregivers. The demands of caring can negatively impact quality of life of these carers. This study explores levels of strain experienced by caregivers and the variables that impact on their strain. A concurrent, mixed method, descriptive design was utilized. Fifty-seven caregivers of stroke survivors who received rehabilitation at the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre participated in the study. The Barthel Index and Caregiver Strain Index were utilised to collect quantitative data, which was statistically analysed (p <0.05). Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews and thematically analysed.Fifty eight percent of caregivers were experiencing high levels of strain. The following variables significantly impacted on strain namely, caregiver loss of employment (0.04), emotional pressure (0.01), patient residual cognitive and perceptual impairments (0.01), personality changes (0.01) and physical dependency (0.0012). According to the qualitative data the burden was aggravated by financial problems, patient perceptual problems and patient personality changes. The findings indicate the need for support after discharge, ongoing community support and respite care to enable time off for caregivers.
Highlights
Stroke occurs suddenly and is unpre dictable in terms of affected functions and outcomes
South African studies found similar to higher levels of strain in caregivers of stroke sufferers (Wasserman et al 2009; Kleineibst 2007)
The majority of caregivers (51; 89%) were female and 22 (38%) caregivers were the spouses of stroke survivors
Summary
Stroke occurs suddenly and is unpre dictable in terms of affected functions and outcomes. An array of impairments including functional, cognitive and emotional, behavioural and social can result from stroke, leading to profound changes in abilities, personality, life style and life roles. Many stroke sufferers are cared for at home by informal care givers and these changes can cause high levels of strain for caregivers (Pierce et al 2007). South African studies found similar to higher levels of strain in caregivers of stroke sufferers (Wasserman et al 2009; Kleineibst 2007). Patients in the KwaZulu Natal study by Wasserman et al (2009) received no rehabilitation while those in the Western Cape study (Kleineibst 2007) accessed out patient rehabilita tion at primary level. No South African studies that assessed caregiver strain after discharge from intensive in patient rehabilitation could be found and neither of the South African studies evaluated which variables influenced strain
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