Affiliations: [a]
University of Washington, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Seattle | [b]
Rhode Island Hospital, Providence | [c]
University of Washington, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Seattle
Note: [1] Preparation of this article was supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Program, merit review project IIR 85-033, “Evaluation of family stroke education.”
Abstract: Most clinical and research attention to stroke has been on managing its acute stage and on evaluating the effectiveness of relatively short-term rehabilitation programs. However, many studies suggest that stroke affects long-term quality of life and the well-being of patients’ families. This article reviews the literature as it relates to the effects of stroke on the family and discusses stroke in terms of clinical problems that make rehabilitation a family issue. Families share in treatment, especially in the long term, and they are ultimately responsible for the patient’s welfare.
