Home Caring Continuation Factors for Caregivers 75 or Older Who Care for Stroke Patients

Abstract

While the need for home care is increasing in Japan, for a growing number of nuclear families and caregivers, the burden of long-term care is also increasing. Stroke caregiving is complex and can change dramatically depending on the stroke trajectory. Stroke caregivers must adapt to the changes caused by the stroke patient’s illness. Especially, stroke caregivers face a high burden of short and long-term care. Caring for stroke patients, particularly those with declined ADL, requiring treatment, and needing long-term care, is complex. When the caregivers are elderly, the burden of care becomes greater. Long-term care carries a heavy burden, and it is difficult to maintain care over time.

This study sought to clarify the factors related to continuous care provided by caregivers aged 75 and over. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven family caregivers for each stroke patient. The results were analyzed by referring to the grounded theory approach.

The analysis results generated five categories: “positive attitude toward care,” “improvement of daily care techniques,” “stable marital relationship,” “caregiver’s mental stability,” and “acceptance and utilization of the medical welfare system.” “Nursing care built into daily life” was identified as the core category. The results suggest that “nursing care built into daily life” best reflects the lives of caregivers and caregiving, leading to an improvement in the quality of life and the continued care of patients.