Caregiver experiences of social support following stroke

The Relationship Between Social Support and Stress in Family Caregivers of Stroke Patients

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a significant cause of disability. Family Informal caregivers face numerous stressors. This study examines whether social support during hospitalization would mediate the relationship between care time per day and stress in family caregivers of stroke patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design in Taiwan recruited 137 family caregivers. Descriptive information forms, the Caregiver Strain Index, and the Social Support Scale were used to collect data. RESULTS: Social support was negatively correlated with stress ( r = -0.23, P = .006). By contrast, caregiving hours and physical support were significantly associated with psychological stress. Physical support mediated the association between caregiving hours and psychological stress (95% CI = 0.000-0.005), accounting for 22.02% of the total effect. CONCLUSION: Social support decreased family caregiver stress, notably psychological stress, due to prolonged care of 18 hours per day in the hospital. Physical support resources to alleviate caregiver stress.

The experience of mutual support during hospitalization of co-morbid couples with recurrent older stroke survivors - A descriptive phenomenological study

The phenomenon of the experiences of mutual support of co-morbid couples of recurrent older stroke survivors during hospitalization is receiving increased interest from nursing scholars. However, little is known about how they support each other. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of co-morbid couples of older stroke survivors with recurrent stroke who support each other during hospitalization. A descriptive phenomenology study was employed. 21 co-morbid couples with recurrent older stroke survivors were recruited. The interviews were analyzed with Colaizzi's descriptive analysis framework. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) maintaining the couple's relationship through mutual support, (2) mutual support so as not to drag the children down, and (3) providing support while struggling between ideals and reality. It is crucial to provide them with individualized, tailored support and interventions that can help these couples achieve a more optimal balance in their mutual support.

Care model selection for older adult stroke survivors with disabilities: insights from the eighth wave of CLHLS data and influencing factors

Background

Analyzing the differences in caregiving models for disabled older adult individuals after stroke and the influencing factors, to provide a basis for addressing relevant social demographic issues.

Methods

The older adult diagnosed with stroke were screened from the Chinese Geriatric Health Survey (CLHLS), and were further divided into subgroups of disability, which was based on their ability of or whether they need help in performing activities such as dressing, bathing, eating, toileting or bowel and bladder control using the international common Katz scale. The care model was divided into formal care, informal care and home care. Multivariate logistic regression was used to screen the influencing factors of the choice of care model for the disabled older adult after stroke.

Results

The results of univariate analysis showed that there were statistical differences in the choice of care mode among different ages, household registration types, number of children, years of education, degree of disability, community services, retirement pension, marital status and medical insurance. Multiple logistic regression showed that, The rural older adult with more children, shorter education years, living with spouse and no help from community tend to choose informal care. Older adult people with higher levels of education, urban household registration, and access to community services are more likely to choose formal care. Older adult women with multiple children are more likely to receive care from their children.

Conclusion

In the future, vigorous support for the development of formal caregiving institutions and the improvement of the management system of formal caregiving will help enhance the subjective initiative of disabled older adult individuals in choosing caregiving models and alleviate the burden of family caregiving.

The Relationship Between Care Preparedness and Altruism Levels in Caregivers of Stroke Patients

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Stroke care partners and caregivers experience emotional and physical burden, and 80% of stroke patients need support after discharge. This study examines the relationship between caregiver preparedness and altruism levels of stroke patients. METHODS: The population of this descriptive and correlational study consisted of the caregivers of stroke patients who were hospitalized at the stroke center of a hospital between January 2021 and August 2021. The sample was determined as 240 with the known sampling formula. The descriptive information form, the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale, and the Altruism Scale were used to collect the study data. RESULTS: The total mean score of the caregivers' preparedness to provide care was found to be 25.04 (7.36), and the mean total altruism score was 85.78 (9.20). The mean score of Donation, which is one of the subdimensions of the Altruism Scale, was 26.67 (4.08), and that of Helping Status was 59.10 (6.92). No statistically significant relationships were detected between caregivers' preparedness to provide care scores, Helping Status scores, Donation scores, and total altruism scores in this study ( P = .241, P = .245, and P = .129, respectively). CONCLUSION: No statistically significant relationships were detected between the preparedness and altruism levels of the caregivers of the stroke patients in this study.