Preparedness, Demand, and Burden of Informal Caregivers of Stroke Survivors From Hospital to Home: A Longitudinal Study Based on Transition Theory

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the levels, predictors, and relationships between preparedness, demand, and burden among informal caregivers of stroke survivors. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SAMPLE: One hundred and forty-two informal caregivers of stroke survivors. MEASUREMENTS: Preparedness, demand, and burden of informal caregivers were assessed at 2 days pre-discharge (T0), 2 weeks post-discharge (T1) and 4 weeks (T2) post-discharge. RESULTS: Caregiver preparedness was lowest and demand and burden were highest at T0. Preparedness increased over time, whereas demand and burden decreased. Preparedness was predicted by caregiver occupation and stroke survivor age, while demand was predicted by caregiver age, education, occupation, and caregiver-stroke survivor relationship. Burden was predicted by the caregiver-stroke survivor relationship. Additionally, caregiver preparedness was significantly negatively correlated with demand, and demand was positively correlated with burden. CONCLUSIONS: Informal caregivers had low preparedness, as well as high demand and burden, 2 days before discharge, highlighting the need for tailored nursing interventions to support their transition from hospital to home care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300076487).