Burden of Caregivers of Stroke Patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This research was conducted as a descriptive study in order to determine the level of burden in the caregiving tasks performed by the relatives of stroke patients.

METHODS: This descriptive study took place with the relatives of 70 stroke patients who had applied to a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey. These relatives were primarily responsible for taking care of these elderly stroke patients. After a review of the pertinent literature, study data were collected using a data collection form prepared for both the patient and caregiver. The Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) and the Caregiver Burden (Burden Interview) were also used.

RESULTS: The Caregiver Burden Scale point average of the caregivers participating in our research was determined as 42.5. The difference between the points received by the patients from the RMI and the point average of the caregiver burden was statistically significant (p<0.05). The difference between the point average of the caregivers who assist patients with nutrition, motion, and excretion tasks was found statistically significant (p<0.05). The difference between the caregiving burden point average of caregivers with family difficulties related to caregiving, and whose daily lives were affected, was found statistically significant (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: In line with the results obtained from the research, suggestions were made to increase the effect of the discharge training, arrange training and consultancy programs aimed at coping with the problems experienced by the caregivers, and provide the required institutional support.