Qualitative study on experience of spouse caregivers of elderly and disable patients with stroke / 现代临床护理

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the experience and feelings of spouse caregivers of elderly and disable patients with stroke in the process of care. Method Totally 8 spouse caregivers of elderly and disable patients with stroke were selected and investigated by semi structural in-depth interviews. Result Five major themes were found, e.g. responsibility and obligation of husband and wife, mental stress and physical stress, economic pressure, lack of effective information, positive feelings and countermeasures in the predicament. Conclusions The spouse caregivers suffer from psychological, physiological, economical and less information, but they are engaged with responsibility, obligation, positive feelings and coping. It is suggested that health care workers should take full attention to the elderly spouse caregivers and help them to reduce the pressure in the process of care, strive to tap their positive feelings and promote personal growth.