Strain experienced by caregivers of stroke survivors in the Western Cape

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.