Family Caregiving: A Personal Story No abstract available

Stroke Survivor and Family Caregiver Reports of Caregiver Engagement in Stroke Care Purpose The aim of the study was to identify areas of caregiver engagement in stroke care as viewed by stroke survivors and family caregivers. Design Interviews with stroke survivor/caregiver dyads (N = 71) from a population-based study of incident stroke. Methods We interviewed stroke survivors and caregivers about caregiver involvement at multiple stages of stroke care. We assessed similarities and differences between stroke survivor and caregiver reports and analyzed responses to open-ended questions. Findings Stroke survivor and caregiver reports of engagement were highly correlated (r = .89), although caregivers reported higher involvement. Open-ended comments suggested that, in about 25% of cases, stroke survivors and caregivers agreed that caregiver engagement led to major improvements in stroke survivor care, most commonly during onset of symptoms. Conclusions Stroke survivors and caregivers report significant and impactful caregiver engagement throughout the course of stroke. Clinical Relevance Clinicians may enhance stroke care by recognizing and facilitating caregiver efforts across all phases of stroke care.

Perspectives From Family Caregivers of Persons With Spinal Cord Injury in Hospital Versus Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study Purpose The study aims to assess differences in family preferences for involvement in the ongoing care of a hospitalized family member with spinal cord injury based on whether the patient was hospitalized for initial rehabilitation (Group R) or hospitalized to treat secondary complications (Group C). Design Explorative cross-sectional design. Method Family members rated the importance and experience of involvement on five subscales of the Patient Participation in Rehabilitation Questionnaire. Differences among the importance and experience scores between the groups were tested using the Mann–Whitney U test. Findings Group C scored the importance to be involved significantly higher than Group R (M = 3.17 vs. M = 4.04, p =.01). No other significant differences between groups were detected. Conclusion Family members of patients hospitalized for secondary complications want greater involvement in care compared to those hospitalized for rehabilitation. Clinical Relevance Results indicate the need for tailored interventions using a family-centered approach and ongoing needs assessment.

Families’ Needs of Patients With Acquired Brain Injury: Acute Phase and Rehabilitation Purpose The aim of this study was to identify and compare the needs of families of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) in acute care and rehabilitation settings. Design A descriptive exploratory study was conducted. Methods Data were collected in the acute care setting and in the rehabilitation setting during meetings with families (n = 54) of patients with ABI using the Family Needs Questionnaire. Findings In both settings, families identified obtaining information about ABI or the patients’ health as the most important need, followed by support from health professionals. Conclusion For families, accessing information about the disease situation was important regardless of patients being in the acute care or rehabilitation phase. To provide tailored care for these families, it is important to assess information needs systematically early in the acute phase of hospitalization. Clinical Relevance A paradigm shift is desirable to include families in care, identify their needs, and support them in a more tailored way.

Determining the Needs of Family Caregivers of Stroke Patients During Inpatient Rehabilitation Using Interview, Art, and Survey The purpose of this study is to explore the needs of family members at the bedside of stroke patients (n = 12) admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF). Family members’ needs were determined through semistructured interviews, “Draw a Bridge” art therapy technique, and the Family Inventory of Needs. Family members described a family-centered approach to care that addressed the following needs: assistance with preparing for discharge, staff caring for family members, communication about the plan of care and what to expect postdischarge, and trusting the care provided by IRF staff. Art therapy revealed that stroke was a crisis with many unmet needs for the interviewer to explore. Descriptive statistical analysis of the Family Inventory of Needs revealed that both met and unmet needs were consistent with the interviews and the interpretations of the drawings. These findings inform the need for interventions during IRF to enhance communication, support, and effective caregiver education amidst the crisis of stroke.

Quality of Life of Caregivers of Individuals With Parkinson’s Disease Purpose This study aimed to construct a structural equation model to predict the quality of life of caregivers of individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Design A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire in South Korea. Methods A total of 208 subjects participated in this study from August 31 to November 26, 2015. The questionnaire included caregiving appraisal, social support, educational program needs, and the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-Carer. Findings Participants were either spouses (46.2%) or adult children (45.2%) of individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The mean score obtained on the caregiver’s quality of life was 40.94 ± 25.30. Social support, caregiving appraisal, and educational program needs were the predictors, explaining 67.0% of the variance in caregivers’ quality of life. Conclusions Predicting the quality of life is useful for the development of support resources for caregivers of individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Further studies exploring the multidimensional aspects of caregivers’ quality of life are needed. Clinical Relevance Rehabilitation nurses should identify caregivers at high risk in order to improve their quality of life. Nurses should assess education program needs and caregiving appraisal of caregivers of individuals with Parkinson’s disease and develop a customized intervention program.

Family-Centered Care During Constraint-Induced Therapy After Chronic Stroke: A Feasibility Study Purpose This feasibility study evaluated a theory-based intervention (CARE-CITE) designed to engage carepartners (CPs) in supporting stroke survivor upper extremity rehabilitation. Design The study was a one-group design with pre- and posttest and 1 month follow-up (N = 7 dyads). Methods Feasibility was determined by participant retention, CP and stroke survivor intervention adherence, and CP acceptability of the intervention (exit interview). Measures of CP depressive symptoms, fatigue, and family conflict around stroke recovery and stroke survivor upper extremity function are reported. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings All participants completed the study and adhered to the intervention, and CPs found CARE-CITE helpful. Descriptively, better scores were observed for CP's mental health, family conflict, stroke survivor confidence, and upper extremity tasks performed. Conclusion These results provide initial evidence that CARE-CITE is feasible after chronic stroke and that CPs and stroke survivors may benefit from family-centered care. Clinical Relevance Improving CP skills in supporting rehabilitation activities may improve stroke survivor upper extremity function.

Patient Attitudes Toward Telemedicine-Delivered Cardiac Rehabilitation Background Telemedicine-delivered cardiac rehabilitation (telemedicine-CR) provides an alternative pathway for patients who are unable to participate in conventional CR. Little is known regarding the relationships among potential participants’ perceptions of barriers to CR participation, interest in telemedicine-CR, and self-efficacy beliefs toward the use of telemedicine. The purpose of this study was to identify if associations exist between these variables. Methods A quantitative, correlational survey study was conducted using the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale and a survey examining interest in and self-efficacy for telemedicine technologies. Eighty-three patients were invited to participate. Results Twenty surveys (24%) were returned. Significant correlations were identified between interest in telemedicine-CR and self-efficacy beliefs for the use of live video links, rs(14) = .510, p = .044, and the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale Comorbidity subscale, rs(18) = −.469, p = .037. Conclusions Higher self-efficacy for the use of video chat and fewer perceived comorbidity barriers were associated with greater interest in telemedicine-CR.

Stroke Survivor and Family Caregiver Reports of Caregiver Engagement in Stroke Care No abstract available

Families’ Needs of Patients With Acquired Brain Injury: Acute Phase and Rehabilitation No abstract available