It changed everything! The impact of the stroke on the family

Abstract

Strokes (cerebrovascular accidents) result in temporal or permanent neurological deficits of varied intensities that can endanger the victim's independency in performing everyday activities. This qualitative case study investigated the families of patients with diagnosis of stroke, in order to understand the structural, socioeconomic and emotional difficulties that they face, and the relationship between the degree of damage severity, the time of disease occurrence and the development of strategies for the relative's protection and care. Data collection instruments were: questionnaire; interview guide; observations registered in a research diary; application of the Barthel Index, an internationally validated functional evaluation scale. Data analysis was carried out through the Discourse of the Collective Subject, producing social representations and central ideas. It was verified that the families are undergoing a changing process that implies reorganization and adoption of coping strategies favored by the existence of a support network. These results point to the need for educating and guiding the family so that it can take care of the patient with disability derived from a stroke, and also promote self-care.