Analysis of problem types and difficulty among older stroke caregivers.

Stroke onset causes disruption of family roles as caregiving tasks are assumed. The current study presents a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the problems of 123 older, spousal stroke caregivers. Problems were coded into 14 categories; frequencies of occurrence and difficulty were also analyzed. Differences in problem difficulties were examined by race, gender, years caregiving, and care receiver's functional level, depression, burden, and loneliness. Noncompliance was the least frequent but most difficult problem type. Lack of social involvement was the most frequent problem type and the most difficult for the more depressed, burdened, and lonely caregivers. This increase in problem specificity and detail of analysis has provided direction for clinical application in counseling the spouses of stroke survivors on how to manage the stress of their new life role.