Quality of life of stroke survivors who attend a stroke club and their personal caregivers

Stroke survivors are increasing in numbers and being discharged home sooner, often to the care of an informal personal caregiver. Little is known about the quality of life of community-dwelling stroke survivors who attend a stroke support group and their personal unpaid caregivers in British Columbia. Quantitative questionnaires were used to examine stroke survivor function, caregiver burden, health and quality of life. The B.C stroke survivors' level of function was skewed towards the independent end of the Frail Elderly Functional Assessment (FEF A) scale. Self-reported health was worse on at least 7 of the 8 SF-36 subscales for stroke survivors compared to seven comparison groups, one with similar demographics. Some correlations among mean scores for stroke survivor FEF A and other stroke survivor variables were statistically significant; FEF A with three SF-36 subscales (physical functioning, general health and social function), with one satisfaction dimension (health), and with one quality of life measure (satisfaction with overall quality of life). All correlations among mean scores for each of the three measures of quality of life and 11 dimensions of satisfaction were statistically significant; however, the pattern of response was like the ordinary population on only one correlation. In summary, B.C. stroke survivors: had poor health; were independent in function; function was only somewhat related to their health, satisfaction or quality of life; and used different satisfaction domains from the general population on two of the three measures of quality of life. The B.C caregivers' level of burden was higher on the Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) than one comparison group of caregivers. The caregivers had similar self-reported health status when compared to two Australian caregivers of stroke survivor studies and had worse self-reported health status on at least 7 of 8 SF-36 scales when compared to a minor medical illness group and the general population. All correlations among mean scores for CBS and caregiver variables were statistically significant; CBS with 8 SF-36 subscales, with 11 domain satisfaction subscales, and with 3 quality of life measures. Some correlations among mean scores for CBS and stroke survivor variables were statistically significant; CBS with stroke survivor FEFA, with stroke survivor SF-36 bodily pain, and with stroke survivor SF-36 general health. All correlations among mean scores for each of the three measures of quality of life and 11 dimensions of satisfaction were statistically significant. However, caregivers' pattern of response was like the general population on only two correlations. In summary, B.C. caregivers: had similar self-reported health to other caregiver groups but was worse than the general population; experienced burden related to their health, domain satisfaction, and quality of life; their burden was related to stroke survivor function; and used different satisfaction domains from the general population on one of the three measures of quality of life.