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: This study assessed the effect of a structured training program and follow-up telephone support on the perceived knowledge and support of family caregivers of older stroke survivors. : A quasi-experimental study design was employed in this study. Family caregivers (n=58) of older adult stroke survivors aged ≥60 were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. Family caregivers who were aged ≥18 years and have a dominant caring role in assisting older adult stroke survivors were included in the study. The average age of the study participants was 41.9 ± 13.5 years, with the majority being female (69.0%). Significant improvements were observed in caregivers’ stroke care knowledge from 1.89 ± 1.83 to 5.47 ± 0.94 at (p<0.001), caregivers’ knowledge of stroke recurrence from 1.79 ± 1.88 to 5.17 ± 1.16 at (p<0.001), and caregivers’ knowledge of adaptation exercises for stroke patients from 1.67 ± 1.95 to 5.33 ± 0.99 at (p<0.001). The overall stroke knowledge score also improved significantly from 8.08 ± 5.67 to 14.05 ± 5.82 at (p<0.001). Similarly, participants’ scores improved significantly in the support for better medication use for patients from 4.94 ± 1.60 to 6.13 ± 1.05 at (p<0.001), caregivers’ support of patients’ feeding needs improved from 4.82 ± 1.67 to 6.21 ± 0.96 at (p<0.001), and knowing of what to do in case the patient develops complications from 2.20 ± 2.36 to 5.00 ± 1.38 at (p<0.001) and the average overall patients’ support of family caregivers from 11.98 ± 3.85 to 15.25 ± 6.25 at (p<0.001). : The study findings revealed poor perceived knowledge of caregivers at the baseline. Endpoint results indicated that adequate training and education combined with telephone support for family caregivers of stroke could improve the knowledge and support required in stroke care.
Farombi et al. (Sun,) studied this question.