Evaluation of the care readiness and stress of caregivers of patients with stroke

Background and Aim: The aim of this study, was to evaluate the care readiness and stress levels of family members of patients with stroke. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with the primary caregivers of 118 patients diagnosed with stroke in the neurology clinic. Data were collected using the 'Care Readiness Scale', 'Caregiver Stress Scale' and 'Patient Relative Introduction Form'. The data obtained in the study were evaluated using descriptive statistical methods (mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage, maximum, minimum) and student t test, Oneway Anova test, Krusakall Wallis test and correlation analysis. A value of p< 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: It was determined that the average age of the caregivers was 52.00±14.00 years, 70.3% were women, 80.5% were married, and 66.9% were primary school graduates. It was determined that caregivers' characteristics such as gender, marital status, educational status, number of children, employment status, income level, chronic disease status, and degree of closeness to the patient did not affect their readiness to provide care and their stress status. It was found that the caregiving readiness levels of those living in the village were low and their stress levels were high. Conclusion: It was determined that as caregivers' stress level increased, their level of readiness to provide care decreased. It is recommended that nurses evaluate the care readiness and stress levels of family memebers of stroke patients and implement the necessary interventions.