PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to analyze the changes in functional status and caregiver burden after a community-based case management program for stroke patients.
METHOD
This study was designed as a one group pre and post-test. A total of 61 stroke patients and their caregivers were sampled in three urban areas and two rural areas. Face to face interviews were conducted as a pre-test one week before intervention, and a post-test two weeks after intervention. The case management program consisted of four home visits and two telephone counseling sessions for assessment, education and providing information during the eight weeks. The collected data were analyzed with paired t-test.
RESULTS
First, significant differences in functional status, and specifically mobility and cognition, were found between pre-test and post-test. Second, caregiver burden, in particular, objective burden was significantly decreased after 8 weeks. Third, the positive response for the services increased after 8 weeks.
CONCLUSION
The community-based case management program was effective to improve the functional status of stroke patients and to decrease the caregiver burden.