Assessment of Stroke Survivors: Assisting Families of Stroke Survivors on Acute Rehabilitation Units

Abstract

Stroke affects a significant number of individuals in the United States each year, leaving survivors with varying levels of physical or cognitive impairments. Because of the sudden onset of symptoms that can result in physical and cognitive changes, a stroke can be viewed as a crisis in many families. Family members are often the primary caretakers of stroke survivors, and this article reviews the literature on the need for providing families with support and education and the issues related to discharge and after-care and caretaker coping. Education and support while the patient is on an acute rehabilitation unit is therefore essential and is the focus of this article. Suggestions for working with families and sharing information related to neuropsychological testing data and rehabilitation progress are also given.

Keywords:

• caretakers
• rehabilitation
• stroke