Self-care to elderly after cerebrovascular accident: caregiver and academics experiences

Abstract

Objective: understand the experiences of the caregiver and multidisciplinary health academics toward the developmentof self-care at home for elderly after cerebrovascular accident. Methods: qualitative study with the use of semi-structuredinterviews with six caregivers and eight academics whose data were analyzed in the light of the Phenomenology. Results:three categories emerged: living with the challenges and limitations imposed on the caregiver and on the person being cared;the professional being and the technic conservatism; the multidisciplinary team at home: experiences with the caregiver andthe person being cared. Conclusion: caregivers of elderly who went through cerebrovascular accident need more supportand guidance for conducting home care, they need a plan of care to facilitate and encourage self-care, minimizing the burdenincurred to the caregiver. Multidisciplinary academics displayed a technical view. This demonstrates the need for change inacademic education with more focus on a holistic and humanistic view of care.

Keywords

• Aged
• Stroke
• Self Care
• Caregivers
• Patient Care Team
• Nursing