Stroke: The Perspective of Family Caregivers

We studied the family caregivers of elderly stroke patients, focusing on perceptions of the positive and negative aspects of caregiving and the resources used by caregivers to meet its demands. Most caregivers were women and either spouses of daughters. The majority were satisfied with their roles as caregivers and would do it again if faced with that decision. They relied on family and friends for help with caregiving, but not on formal services. Greater understanding of the determinants of caregivers' heterogeneous responses to the demands of caregiving is needed.