Research On The Caregiver Burden And Empowerment Among Primary Caregivers Of Stroke Patients In Old Age

Objective The objectives of this study are to evaluate the present situation and influence factors of caregiver burden and empowerment among caregivers of the old patients in stroke, to explore the relationship between caregivers' burden and empowerment. Based on this investigation, the theoretical basis for reducing the caregiver burden and enhancing the empowerment of caregivers is provided.Methods This research was conducted by using the method of cross-sectional survey. Totally 298 caregivers of elderly stroke patients were investigated with the general information questionnaire, Zarit Burden Interview(ZBI), Main Care-givers' Empowerment Measurement(MCEM), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS) and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire,(SCSQ). The patients were investigated with the general information questionnaire and Modified Barthel Index(MBI). The data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science(SPSS) 17.0 software. Univariate analysis was performed by t test and ANOVA, the multivariate analysis was adopted by multiple regression analysis and related factors was conducted by Pearson correlation analysis.Results 1 The present situation of caregiver burden among caregivers of stroke patients in old age The results showed that the scores of the caregivers' burden of stroke patients in old age werethe following. The caregivers' burden was in the mild level with a total score of 35.21±11.45, personal burden scores were 20.75±6.07, while responsibility burden scores were 8.40±4.52. 20 cases(6.7%) with none or few burdens, Slight burden of 169 cases(56.7%), 103 cases(34.6%) of moderate burden, 6 cases of severe burden(2.0%). 2 The influencing factors of caregiver burden among caregivers of stroke patients in old age 2.1 The results of univariate analysis showed that course of disease, age of the patient, frequency of stroke incidence, muscle strength in patients, ADL ability of patients, the status of caregivers, length of care, daily hours, hospital anxiety and depression score, the coping style were the influential factors of caregiver burden among caregivers of stroke patients in old age.(P<0.05). 2.2 The results of the multivariate regression analysis showed that the influencing factors of caregiver burden were the length of care, daily hours, hospital depression and anxiety score, the coping style and ADL ability of patients(P<0.01). 3 The present situation of caregivers' empowerment of stroke patients in old age The total score of MCEM was 2.91±0.20. the score of the Relationships with those who need care, expectation for the outcomes of care, the faith of care, kindly care, the autonomy of caregiver, scruple, awareness of the role of caregiver, care knowledge and skills, individual resources was 3.48±0.41, 3.37±0.44, 3.11±0.48, 2.93±0.46, 2.85±0.45, 2.82±0.6, 2.81±0.5, 2.73±0.58 and 2.51±0.40 respectively. 4 The influential factors of caregivers' empowerment among caregivers of stroke patients in old age 4.1 The results of univariate analysis showed that the age of the patient, frequency of stroke incidence, number of lesions,, support from other people, hospital anxiety and depression score, the coping style were the influential factors of caregivers' empowerment among caregivers of stroke patients in old age(P<0.05). 4.2 The results of the multivariate regression analysis showed that the influential factors of caregivers' empowerment were the positively side of coping style, hospital anxiety score, support from other people, and frequency of stroke incidence(P<0.01). 5 Correlation analysis in the caregiver burden and empowerment among caregivers of stroke patients in old age The conclusion from the Pearson correlation analysis results was that there existed the negative correlation between caregiver burden and empowerment among caregivers of stroke patients in old age.Conclusions 1 The caregivers' burden was in the mild level. The influential factors were the length of care, daily hours, hospital anxiety and depression score, the coping style and the ADL ability of patients. 2 The score of caregivers' empowerment was in the low level, and the influential factors were the positively side of coping style, hospital anxiety score, support from other people and frequency of stroke incidence. 3 There were negative correlation between caregiver burden and empowerment among caregivers of stroke patients in old age. Nursing personnel should grant special nursing services in order to reduce the burden on caregivers and enhance their level of empowerment, in turn improve the self-care ability of elderly stroke patients.