[The lived experiences of stroke caregivers three months after discharge of patients from rehabilitation hospitals].
OBJECTIVE
Caregiving of stroke patients has a long trajectory and the experiences of caregi- vers may change over time. Few studies have described the experience of stroke caregi- vers three months after discharge of patients from rehabilitation hospitals. This study describes the experience of stroke caregivers three months after patients are discharged home from a rehabilitation hospital.


METHODS
phenomenological study


RESULTS
Seven themes emerged from analysis: deeply-changed life; re-appreciation of the relationship with patient and family members; increased workload; difficulties in getting support from the national health-care system; lack of preparation for caregiving; difficulties in coordinating caregiving, family and personal life; relief after patient's recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
A comprehensive understanding of stroke caregivers' experience during the three months after patient discharge can support the development of educational interventions aimed at improving the caregiver preparation for the care of patients.
Department Activities Integrated Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery and Emergency cardiovascular - ICU Cardiac Surgery University Hospital Policlinico Federico II, Naples. Italy Correspondence: silviocecilia@libero.it.
Silvio
S
Simeone
Professor and Kenneth E. Morehead Endowed Chair in Nursing. Associate Dean for Research. University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Nursing Science, Omaha, NE, USA.
Marlene Z
MZ
Coehn
School of Nursing, Sapienza University, Bracciano (RM), Italy.
Serenella
S
Savini
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Gianluca
G
Pucciarelli
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Rosaria
R
Alvaro
Research Fellow, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Ercole
E
Vellone
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D020521:Stroke / Q000451:nursing; D013997:Time Factors; D016526:Workload