2009, Cilt 16, Sayı 3, Sayfa(lar) 017-031
Family Caregivers' Difficulties in Caring for Bedridden Stroke Patients
Yard. Doç. Dr. Sevgisun KAPUCU1, Yard. Doç. Dr. Sevinç KUTLU TÜRKAN2, Prof. Dr. Hatice FESCİ2
1Hacettepe Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Hemşirelik Bölümü
2Gazi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Hemşirelik Bölümü
Keywords: Home care, cerebrovascular accident, family caregiver, nursing

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the difficulties experienced by bedridden CVA patients' caregivers at home and suggest some solve advice for problems.

Methods: This is a descriptive study designed to identify difficulties experienced by bedridden CVA patients' caregivers at home and suggest some solve advice for problems. The sample group consisted of 38 relatives of CVA patients. The patients had been discharged from one of three health centers: the Hacettepe University Neurology Ward, Ankara University's Ibn-i Sina Hospital, or Ankara Numune Hospital. Using questions form that contained open-ended questions, we interviewed 38 caregivers of stroke survivors to identify their characteristics and their difficulties experienced. Data were given as numbers and percentages.

Results: The results of the study indicate that family caregivers need information about the disease (CVA), and about patients' care, medications, diet, excretory system function and sleep schedule. The results also indicate that the caregivers commonly face psychosocial problems, fatigue, and insomnia. Caregivers reported financial problems in purchasing medicines and medical care. They also stated that because of limited family resources, they tend to hospitalize their patients in government-funded facilities.

Conclusion: Caregivers of CVA patients encounter a variety of informational, psycho-social and financial problems and many of these can be solved successfully by education-based intervention.