THE EFFECT OF HOME CARE FOR STROKE PATIENTS AND EDUCATION OF CAREGIVERS ON THE CAREGIVER BURDEN AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of home care provided for stroke patients and education of caregivers on the caregiver burden and quality of life. The study was conducted by using a true experimental method with pre-test and post-test control group. The study included 43 experimental and 43 control patients and their caregivers. The Patient and Caregiver Description Form, Patient Problem Identifying Form, Caregiving Burden Scale and SF-36 Quality of Life Scale were used to collect data in the study. Nursing care was provided to the experimental group patients according to the model of daily living activities, while their caregivers received training and consultancy. In the control group, there was no such intervention. Percentage distribution, chi(2), independent sample t-test, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used on statistical analyses. There was no significant difference in pre-test score means between experimental and control group caregivers. However, a statistically significant difference was found in all sub-dimensions of the quality of life scale between pre-test and post-test score means in the experimental group caregivers. This study results indicated that home care provided for stroke patients and education of caregivers decreased the caregiver burden and increased their quality of life.