A family involvement and patient-tailored health management program in elderly Korean stroke patients' day care centers

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of a family involvement and functional rehabilitation program in an adult day care center on elderly Korean stroke patients' perceived health, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and cost of health services, and on family caregivers' satisfaction.

Design: Using one-group pre- and posttest design, dyads consisting of 19 elderly stroke patients and family caregivers participated in 12-week intervention, including involvement of family caregivers in day care services and patient-tailored health management.

Findings: Outcomes of patients and caregivers were significantly improved (all p < .001). However, the cost of health services did not decrease significantly.

Conclusions: This program improved functional levels and health perception of elderly stroke patients and caregivers' satisfaction. However, results must be interpreted with caution, because this was only a small, single-group pilot study.

Clinical relevance: This program may be effective for elderly stroke patients and their caregivers.

Keywords: Adult day care center; family involvement; health management; stroke.