Date of Award
5-4-2024
Document Type
Oral Presentation/Poster
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Health Science
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Mackenzie Feldhacker
Second Advisor
Kayla Shaffer
Third Advisor
Amanda Grapp
Keywords
Occupational therapy, stroke, caregiver education, acute care, patient education
Subject Categories
Occupational Therapy
Abstract
Background: According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2022), every 40 seconds someone in the United States experiences a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), also known as stroke. A recent study suggests that 63% of these individuals will need informal caregiving from family, friends, or loved-ones throughout their rehabilitation process in order to safely transition home. Research suggests that patients and caregivers post stroke are not receiving enough education to prevent concerns such as caregiver burden, decreased caregiver wellness, and decreased patient outcomes, all which are within the scope of occupational therapy. Methods: Experiences at MyMichigan Midland Hospital drove the development and implementation of this capstone project focused on the development of caregiver support resources for caregivers of patients post stroke. These support resources primarily included handout and video resources. A pre/post test using the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale was utilized in order to measure the impact that the education had on caregiver preparedness and a separate survey was utilized to evaluate the experiences that caregivers had with the resources. Results: The results of this project determined that the developed educational resources implemented in the acute phase of rehabilitation had a positive impact on caregiver preparedness. Discussion: By facilitating a caregiver education program, caregiver preparedness was improved. Caregiver education is a meaningful addition to existing acute care interventions as it promotes improved patient outcomes. Conclusion: Occupational therapists play a significant role in supporting both patients and their caregivers post stroke.
Recommended Citation
Blecke, Gabrielle A., "Filling the Gap: Educating Caregivers and Patients Post Stroke in an Acute Care Setting" (2024). Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations. 123.
https://red.library.usd.edu/ot-capstone/123