Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  2000 Jun;3(1):5-14.

The Relationship between Family Support and Activities of Daily Living Abilities for the Hemiplegic Patients(after stroke)

• Kang BH

Abstract

Stroke patients have increased with the overall aging of our population, 60 years and older. Recently the number of stroke patients has been on the increase even among younger people in their thirties. The family support is frequently mentioned as a major variable which plays an important role in helping the patients adapt themselves to their hemiplegic situations. The purpose of the study was to examine between family support and activities of daily living(ADLs)abilities for the hemiplegic patients. and to provide the basic data to help the patients carry out their ADLs on their own. The sample for the study included 106 hemiplegic patients and their family members. The data were collected using a focused, structured interviews. The major findings of the study were as follows: 1. The hemiplegic patients perceived that their family supports were very high(Mean, 49.00). 2. The degree of family support was significantly higher in female, high economic status. and non-use of brace patients than in male, poor economic status, use of brace patients. 3. The ADL abilities of the hemiplegic patients were significantly higher in ambulatory. younger. and longer-period-of-illness patients and patients who used a cane as a assistive device. 4. The family support for the hemiplegic patients showed a statistically significant Cor relationship with their performance of ADL(r =.30809. p=0.0013). 5. The performance of ADL for the ambulatory patients were mainly affected by the degree of family support. the period of the hemiplegic illness, the use of brace, informal care giving, and the age. These variables explained 50% of variance. 6. The length of illness was a statistically significant affecting variable for ADL performance in OPD and assistive device in IPD. In conclusion. the higher the hemiplegic patients perceived the degree of family support. the better they performed ADL. We should develop nursing methods which enhance the family support for the hemiplegic patients in order to increase their performance of ADL.

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living*
Aging
Braces
Canes
Female
Humans
Male
Nursing
Patient Care
Self-Help Devices
Stroke