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Biomedical subjects

Steven L Wolf

Publications and source records attributed to Steven L Wolf.

39 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
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Caregiver perspectives of memory and behavior changes in stroke survivors.

Post-stroke memory and behavior changes (MBC) are associated with negative outcomes for stroke survivors and caregivers. This article describes the types of MBC that occur most frequently and caregivers' responses to these behaviors. Data were obtained through in-person interviews and administration of questionnaires to 132 caregivers of first-time stroke survivors 3-9 months after stroke. MBC were measured with a modified version of a Memory and Behavior Problems checklist. On average, caregivers reported 7.7 +/- 3.6 (range 0-17) behaviors. Common stroke survivor MBC included appearing sad or depressed, interrupting the caregiver, and being restless or agitated. These MBC were distressing to caregivers. Caregivers may not recognize some MBC as potential symptoms of depression. In addition, caregiver misunderstanding of the amount of control survivors may have over some behaviors has implications for rehabilitation and caregivers' responses to these changes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of stroke survivor characteristics and family conflict surrounding recovery on caregivers' mental and physical health.

BACKGROUND: Stroke recovery is a dynamic process for stroke survivors, and shorter lengths of stay in healthcare settings shift the care of the survivors to family caregivers. The physical and mental sequelae after stroke and the family's response to this catastrophic event may have deleterious effects on caregivers. OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of stroke survivors' motor function, their memory and behavior changes, and the family conflict surrounding stroke recovery on the mental and physical health of caregivers during the subacute recovery period. METHODS: This cross-sectional, correlational study used baseline data from family caregivers (n = 132) and first-time stroke survivors enrolled in a larger multisite study. RESULTS: The caregivers were primarily White (71%), female (74%), college-educated (73%) spouses (80%) of survivors. Most of the caregivers (66%) reported family conflict. The caregivers from families with lower family functioning scores reported worse mental health. The caregivers reported lower mental health when they were caring for stroke survivors with a combination of high memory/behavior changes and low motor function (R =.30). Family conflict appears to exacerbate the impact of memory and behavior changes on caregiver mental health. Higher caregiver education and no major health problems were associated with better caregiver physical health (R =.36). Caregiver physical health was not associated with family functioning or stroke survivor memory and behavior changes. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that memory and behavior changes of stroke survivors and family conflict surrounding stroke recovery are important considerations for assessment during the poststroke recovery period.

Activities of Daily Living↗