Quality of life for caregivers and stroke survivors in the immediate discharge period.

Caregiver burnout leads to a decline in caregivers' quality of life and in the quality of care they can deliver. A sample of 22 stroke survivors and informal care givers from a 500-bed metropolitan teaching hospital were interviewed using a questionnaire. Pre- (at discharge) and post- (1 month later) test scores were tested using Wilcoxon rank tests. Associations between activities of daily living and quality of life were tested with Spearman's correlation coefficient. Over the month, caregivers' scores for relationships, social companionship, and daily emotional support decreased (but not significantly). Short hospital stays affected the recruitment for this study and contributed to problems for ward staff in implementing discharge plans. More innovative discharge planning is needed if caregivers' needs are to be met. Copyright 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.