Self-care to elderly after cerebrovascular accident: caregiver and academics experiences

Abstract

Objective: understand the experiences of the caregiver and multidisciplinary health academics toward the development of self-care at home for elderly after cerebrovascular accident. Methods: qualitative study with the use of semi-structured interviews with six caregivers and eight academics whose data were analyzed in the light of the Phenomenology. Results: three categories emerged: living with the challenges and limitations imposed on the caregiver and on the person being cared; the professional being and the technic conservatism; the multidisciplinary team at home: experiences with the caregiver andthe person being cared. Conclusion: caregivers of elderly who went through cerebrovascular accident need more supportand guidance for conducting home care, they need a plan of care to facilitate and encourage self-care, minimizing the burdenincurred to the caregiver. Multidisciplinary academics displayed a technical view. This demonstrates the need for change in academic education with more focus on a holistic and humanistic view of care.

Fatores associados à ideação suicida em cuidadores de sobreviventes de acidente vascular encefálico

“…Diante disso, a utilização de estratégias de enfrentamento poderiam ser ferramentas relevantes para redução da sobrecarga e do estresse nesses cuidadores, como a busca por qualificação, o apoio social de familiares, colegas, amigos e profissionais de saúde, o fortalecimento da fé, a resolução dos problemas enfrentados e a organização hábil do tempo, de modo a destinar momentos para o autocuidado e o lazer (8) . Além disso, faz-se necessária a promoção do autocuidado nesses indivíduos, uma vez que muitos priorizam a prestação de cuidados ao familiar dependente em detrimento do cuidado com a própria saúde, provocando o adoecimento (6,13) .…”

“…A invisibilidade do cuidador também representa problemática relevante no Brasil e em âmbito internacional, a qual pode contribuir para o sofrimento desse indivíduo, haja vista que a carência de suporte por parte dos familiares e profissionais de saúde provoca a negligência do estado de saúde e das próprias necessidades individuais desses sujeitos, o que favorece o aumento de sintomas depressivos, que se não tratados adequadamente, podem resultar na tentativa de suicídio (4,13,20) .…”

Cuidado ao familiar após acidente vascular encefálico

“…Some seek solutions addressing the problem situation and others adopt strategy in an attempt to deny the present situation, being directly related in how the relationships were constructed prior to illness. 19 In a study that sought to understand the feelings involved in caring for the family member affected by stroke, 21 it was understood that family members suffer from feelings of compassion for otherness because they see the family member suffering from it and also because they feel powerless to not be able to get rid of it, of this pain. Added to the feeling of alterity and compassion, solitude was observed.…”

“…The absence of family support generates feelings of loneliness and suffering that can increase the vulnerability of caregivers to physical and emotional illness. [20][21] Therefore, the active participation of health professionals, especially nurses, as support at this time of return to the home and readaptation to the new routine, is of extreme importance in promoting the quality of life of people and the family.…”