Abstract:
Many stroke survivors experience long-term impairments in physical,
psychosocial, and cognitive functions that are formidable challenges to
informal caregivers. During the period leading up to and including the stroke
survivors‘ discharge, the informal caregiver will face immense uncertainties
and new challenges. A qualitative phenomenological design was used to
explore the experiences of informal caregivers of persons living with stroke in
the Cape Coast Metropolis. Thirteen respondents were purposively selected
from the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and University of Cape Coast
Hospital. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured
interview guide. The interviews were audio recorded with each interview
lasting between 25 and 45 minutes. Thematic content analysis was used to
analyse the transcribed data and three major themes were derived namely:
nature of caregiving, coping strategies and impact of caregiving. Informal
caregivers‘ experiences were characterized with increased daily task, which
was time-consuming, stressful, frustrating and financially demanding.
However, caregiving for stroke patients strengthened the relationship between
caregivers and patients. Coping strategies such as watching television,
sleeping, acceptance, patience, tolerance and hope in God further self-
encouragement were employed by these participants. The study also revealed
that generally, caregiving for stroke patients negatively affects the caregivers‘
work, finances, social life and health. Thus, the study recommends that proper
psycho-educational and counselling services should be given to informal
caregivers to properly adapt to their situation.
