Caregivers of people with stroke - needs, feelings and guidelines provided

Objectives: Understand the needs and feelings of the caregiver of individuals who have experienced a stroke, and identify the information provided to these caregivers by health professionals. Methods: This exploratory, descriptive qualitative approach used semistructured interviews to understand the experience of six caregivers, during the period from May to August, 2008. The data from these interviews were analyzed using discourse analysis. Results: Three categories were identified: the initial needs of the caregiver, the caregiver and his/her feelings, and the guidance received by the caregiver from health professionals. Needs of the caregivers were varied, but primarily concerned adaptive difficulties. Diverse feelings were identified, including ambivalence, and a range of intensity of those feelings was noted. Guidelines provided by health professionals ranged from a total absence of information, to guidance that was felt by caregivers to meet all of their needs. Conclusions: There is need for discussion regarding provision of standardized guidelines for caregivers, and a strategy to support caregivers and patients.